Conor McGregor returns to UFC action on January 23 against Dustin Poirier, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates after more than a year of inactivity.
The event also brings the much more mature Poirier closer to a golden opportunity to close in on the vacant lightweight title, in principle, following theretirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
It is in Poirier’s hands to tear down the door and turn the division upside down. Ranked as the second best lightweight today, he comes from defeating New Zealander Dan Hooker in one of the most outstanding battles of the past year.
McGregor, despite having just two fights in the last two years and his flirtations with the boxing world, seems willing to come back in style again. He defeated the American Donald Cerrone in just forty seconds and ensures that he will do the same with his compatriot.
“I like Dustin. I think he is a good fighter. He is even a great fighter. But even so, he is several levels below me. I will knock him out in 60 seconds,” McGregor said.
It looks like the contest will be decided by how much difference each can make in the foot exchange. From Poirier’s corner the evening looks more like an open-ended battle than a fight with a quick outcome.
The UFC lightweight Nurmagomedov has already announced that he will be seen among the public on the island of the fight where the event will be held and after that, he will decide his definitive future.
Everything seems aimed at a rematch of McGregor for the lightweight title against Nurmagomedov. However, ‘The Eagle’ is not going to want to be a luxury spectator in the show of his foe.
“I will see all the fights in UFC 257 and if any of the stars or co-stars do something spectacular, I will fight one of them again,” Nurmagomedov said.
