McGregor vs Poirier 3 - Immortality or anguish at UFC 264?

 

On July 10th, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, plays host to the biggest fight of the year. Nearly 6 months on from his historic victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Lafayette's Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier will once again attempt to shock the world and put his name up in the Vegas lights. 

His adversary, the biggest star MMA has ever seen. A man who came from nothing, won and lost it all, and now seeks redemption. While there will always be a star attraction surrounding 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor, his reputation will hang in the balance should he suffer defeat to Poirier at UFC 264. But does he have more to lose than the American?

One of the more surprising outcomes in the wake of Poirier's victory over McGregor, was his decision to shun a title shot in favour of a trilogy with the Irishman. While Poirier undoubtedly made a smart financial decision, should he lose to McGregor again, he finds himself in an incredibly difficult position and potentially 2-3 fights away from a title shot against ultra high calibre competition.

Now, Poirier is in the prime of his career. His victory at UFC 257 was superb; his game plan was exceptional and his work paid off. The same cannot be said of Conor McGregor. As much as it hurts to say it, the old Conor McGregor has gone. That brash, fight anyone, anytime, anywhere animal that lit up the sport between 2014-2016 appears to have vanished. Do not mistake this as a critique on McGregor. He will go down as one of the greatest and most skilled fighters in history. There is every chance he can win it. Will we see a return to that Karate stance killer that treated us to such performances as the victories over Alvarez and Diaz? I hope so. We know how well McGregor adjusts to adversity, just look at his rematch against Nate Diaz. Conor will have undoubtedly put the work in, but will it be enough?

McGregor will have to utilise his full arsenal of weapons against an invigorated Dustin Poirier. While it was the American's leg kicks that told the story of the rematch, McGregor would be wise to use his own kicks against Poirier. McGregor employed vicious leg kicks against Nate Diaz, which proved integral to his victory, and I would be shocked if they do not make a return at UFC 264. For Poirier, I believe we will see a more wrestling heavy approach in the rubber match. A BJJ black belt and submission ace, Poirier could comfortably minimise McGregor's danger through a wrestling approach, but perhaps he will hunt that highlight reel finish once again. 

I think it is safe to say that the trilogy between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is the biggest fight of both athletes' respective careers. A title shot awaits the victor, while uncertainty and heartbreak await the loser. The biggest fight of the year goes down July 10th at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, do not miss this one!

~ James Eakin 

Image credits: [Top] "UFC 264 Poirier vs. McGregor 3 tickets on sale Friday, April 16", UFC. Available at: https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-264-poirier-vs-mcgregor-3-trilogy-fans-return-to-t-mobile-arena-las-vegas-tickets-on-sale