In September of 2014, Conor McGregor knocked out Dustin Poirier on the main card of UFC 178. It was McGregor’s first appearance on a UFC pay-per-view and the victory marked his ascension as a true contender at featherweight which ultimately launched his career into superstardom. Now, six and a half years later, McGregor will rematch Poirier this Saturday in the main event of UFC 257 and though this time the bout will be contested at lightweight, McGregor’s striking coach Owen Roddy thinks that we’re in for a very similar performance to the first one.

“Yeah, it’s a different fight. You fight somebody twice, it’s a different fight,” Roddy told Submission Radio. “Who knows what’s gonna happen? But the same thing applies, in my opinion. Conor will land. It’s inevitable that he’s gonna land that shot. He’s gonna land on Poirier, and it’s just how long Poirier can take the punishment. He is very durable and he’s tough and he’s good, and he’s got a lot of tricks, and he’s got problems that we’ve addressed in the camp. But when it comes down to it, when Conor lands, it’s gonna be how long can Poirier last.”

In their first fight, Poirier did not last long with McGregor getting the stoppage at just 1:46 of the first round. However, a great number of things have changed since then. Though McGregor obviously went on from their first fight to become the biggest star in the history of the sport, Poirier has not fared so bad either. The loss to McGregor led Poirier to move up to 155 pounds where he has since transformed himself, putting together an incredible run through the division culminating in capturing the interim lightweight title in 2019. So great have Poirier’s improvements been since their first bout that many believe their fight at UFC 257 could be a potential Fight of the Year contender. However, McGregor is not one of them giving his official “Mystic Mac” prediction as a 60-second KO. And while Roddy isn’t sure it will be that fast, he ultimate agrees with his charge.

“I think it comes down to strategy and whatever strategy Poirier comes in with,” Roddy said. “So, it’s hard to say. If he comes in looking to exchange, it will be quick, I’d imagine. If he comes in and runs, it might take a little bit longer. Poirier has improved an awful lot. I’m not trying to disrespect Poirier, he’s a phenomenal fighter, but Conor has also improved an awful lot as well, and I think Conor has improved more than Poirier. So, I can only foresee the same kind of outcome.”

But despite the predictions for an early finish from McGregor and his camp, the alternative has been a point of emphasis for the former two-division champion. Since his loss to Nate Diaz in 2016, McGregor has been branded as having poor cardio, or as McGregor put it, “being inefficient with his energy”. Poirier is very much the opposite of that having gone five rounds with Max Holloway and just last year sweeping the championship rounds against Dan Hooker. So given that, conventional wisdom has it that if Poirier can weather the early storm, he’ll be able to have success in the later rounds against McGregor but, ever on brand, Roddy says that if Poirier does make it to the third, fourth, and fifth rounds, things won’t get any better. Quite the opposite.

“I doubt it’s gonna go that far,” Roddy said. “But if it does go to three, four and five, I think it’s gonna be worse for Poirier. I can’t see it going that far, but I think it would be worse for Poirier, if I’m being honest. Because you don’t want Conor hitting you for 25 minutes. And he can set the pace, Conor. He’s in phenomenal shape. He’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen in my life. Physically, mentally. So, I think it would be dangerous. I think Poirier would be taking a lot of dangerous blows if he managed to stay in there. But I still don’t see him staying in there.”

Well, we don’t have to wait long to find out. UFC 257 takes place this Saturday on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, and if McGregor performs the way he and his team believe he will, it’s possible he may just earn himself another crack at lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

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TOP STORIES

Lawsuit. Ahead of UFC 257, woman files multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit against Conor McGregor.

Report. New details emerge in lawsuit against Conor McGregor.

Champion. Conor McGregor: I’m still champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘was never crowned’ at UFC 229.

GOAT. Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Max Holloway has potential to become ‘best fighter of all-time’.

Warning. UFC bantamweight Andre Ewell gets USADA warning after ostarine positive.

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VIDEO STEW

What the Heck.

Fight Island 8 Preview Show.

Pros predict Poirier-McGregor II.

Embedded.

Poirier looking back on his career.

Fastest submission in Bellator.

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LISTEN UP

Jack Slack. Breaking down how Max Holloway battered Calvin Kattar.

UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Cody Garbrandt, Amanda Ribas, and Nasrat Haqparast.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Khabib wins an award.

Took him three days and this is the best he could come up with?

Getting his name out there.

Henry.

Salty.

We’ve all been there.

Jake Paul staying on brand.

Dosbrak getting the official love now.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guto Inocente (8-5) vs. Michal Andryszak (21-9, 1 No Contest); KSW58, Jan. 30.

Landon Quinones Stewart (5-1-1) vs. Niko Novelli (8-2); Titan FC 67, Feb. 12.

Danny Sabatello (9-1) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (8-3); Titan FC 67, Feb. 12.

Muhammadjon Naimov (5-1) vs. Olivier Murad (2-0); Titan FC 67, Feb. 12.

Dilano Taylor (4-1) vs. Lewis Gonzalez (11-3); Titan FC 67, Feb. 12.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading, enjoy the fights today, and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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