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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 23: Dustin Poirier reacts after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 23: Dustin Poirier reacts after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Lightweight maestro Dustin Poirier had to wait 7 long years before avenging his loss against Conor McGregor. The duo battled out each other in a rematch that headlined UFC 257. Their first match took place seven years back in 2014, when the ‘Notorious’ one knocked out the ‘Diamond’ in the first round.
During the backstage segment after the rematch, Poirier was talking to his team and his wife. He received applause from the team as they broke down the winning moment.

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 23: (R-L) Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
While detailing his win, Poirier couldn’t quite believe he knocked McGregor in the way he did. “He is not strong. On the fence, I don’t know why, I was kind of like, in all the way, that he went down so easily.”
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“I pulled him off the fence, I was kind of surprised. He is not that strong. I was surprised how easily he went down. I’m shocked,” he claimed.
The match had a lot of drama. Poirier had entered the match on the back of some stellar performances. McGregor entered his match after beating Donald Cerrone almost a year back.
McGregor, with history on his side, looked confident. While Poirier had a mission in hand to erase the ghosts from the past.
The first round saw both men landing some shots. Poirier targeted the ‘Notorious’ one’s calf and landed some vicious kicks. McGregor kept ignoring it. In the second round, it was evident that the leg was almost immobilized.
Poirier took advantage of the lack of movement and proceeded with ghastly punches to put him to sleep.
Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3- what’s at stake?
McGregor (22-5) and Poirier (27-6) will head into war at UFC 264 after sharing the earlier battles. The match, as mentioned, has a lot at stake.
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First, either man will take pride in grabbing the bragging rights. It’s rare that a trilogy happens between two best fighters of the division. With both fighting back-to-back matches, it should give them confidence going ahead.

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 23: (R-L) Dustin Poirier points at Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Second, McGregor has recently made fewer appearances inside the octagon. Many pundits and fans alike have termed him a money spinner rather than a professional fighter lately. He will be out to prove those critics wrong.
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Third, the match will serve as a title eliminator. The winner is a certainty for fighting the current champion Charles Oliveira sometime later this year.
It is going to be a great fight for fans around the world and unlike the last one, this fight would also have a live crowd to make it more memorable.
Who do you see prevailing in the end?
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