UFC veteran Dustin Poirier is gearing up for his scintillating clash against the former dual division champion Conor McGregor at UFC 264. The American will fight the Irishman in a trilogy bout to culminate an epic rivalry that started 7 years ago.
Poirier, who is also a successful philanthropist, has always focussed on in-ring performance rather than trash talk to down his opponent. But the same can’t be said about his opponent, who has made his career in getting himself in the head of opponents prior to the fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 6, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
No one can forget the passage of play that the ‘Notorious’ one used to get over former featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Poirier, himself, got the taste of trash-talking and personal comments during their first fight. That certainly got into his head during that night in 2014 where he lost.
That gimmick and persona that made McGregor the name he is today was missing in the last fight. Many pundits and fans alike had termed this shift in tactic as his downfall at UFC 257. But it seems McGregor has re-discovered his mojo.
Recently, the Irishman shared an Instagram DM request from Poirier‘s wife. The post attracted the attention of fans and Dustin Poirier.
In an interview with former middleweight champion Michael Bisping, Poirier explained the truth behind it. He said, “If it’s real and my wife is messaging him or something like that, then it’s a good one.”
“But if it’s fabricated. Me and my wife were laughing about it yesterday in the groceries store.”
The ‘Diamond’ further stated that there are no holds barred in sh*t talking.
What are the recent stats of Dustin Poirier?
Poirier (27-6) will head into the fight feeling confident after burying the demons at UFC 257. Since his last loss to McGregor 7 years ago, the ‘Diamond’ has only grown leaps and bounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Apart from his title fight loss against Khabib, he has been relentless in dishing out losses to his opponents. As mentioned, he beat McGregor earlier this year via TKO, marking the first time anybody landed a T/KO win over Conor.
Prior to this, he went to war against the rising lightweight Dan Hooker, beating him in a classic five-round thriller.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With all eyes set for the showdown at UFC 264, Poirier could head towards a new chapter in his already storied career. A win here would not only put him in the title fight next, but it would launch him in the space of all-time greats.