UFC 269: Dustin Poirier says he would’ve ‘broke Conor McGregor’s heart’ if Notorious didn’t suffer horrific leg break
DUSTIN POIRIER insists he would’ve ‘broke’ Conor McGregor’s heart had the Irishman’s leg not given way in their trilogy fight.
McGregor’s left tibia and fibula snapped in the first round of the pair’s Sin City series decider, which Poirier won via TKO.
The Irishman is adamant he would’ve emerged victorious from the rubber match had his leg not shattered, a notion Poirier has dismissed.
The former interim UFC lightweight champion said: “If his leg wouldn’t have broke, I would have broke his heart.
“The fight was bad for him. I was in full control.”
Poirier, 32, believes McGregor’s horrific injury saved him from a second consecutive KO loss.
He continued: “I saw that look in his eyes of desperation that I saw in Abu Dhabi.
“I was going to knock him out. He wasn’t going to fight five rounds with me.”
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Poirier’s back-to-back wins over McGregor earned him a second crack at the lightweight title, which he’ll challenge champion Charles Oliveira for in the main event of UFC 269 in Las Vegas.
The pride of Louisiana came up short in his first bid to win UFC gold two years but plans on getting his hands on the undisputed belt by dragging Oliveira into deep waters.
He said: “I would love for the fight to reach that point to where we’ll find out (if Oliveira can dig deep) in front of the world.
“That’s a goal of mine; to get this fight into deep waters and see who really wants it more, who is willing to bleed more, and leave it all out there. Because I know I will. No question about it.
“But going to what Justin said, dude, I’ve said this.
“I’m saying the same s**t over and over again every interview.
“It feels corny but when a fighter goes out there, our last fight is the most important.
“He (Oliveira) got hurt, came back second round and showed his championship grit and finished Michael Chandler; a guy that just took Justin to hell.
“So, if that says anything, you’re as good as your last fight. He’s a world champion.”
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