UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier has faced plenty of elite opposition in his time. With the launch of new season of The Ultimate Fighter pending, headlined by former Poirier opponents Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, Poirier revealed his prediction for a fight between the two on a recent episode of The MMA Hour.
His prediction is clear: McGregor, within two rounds. That, however, depends on one key factor.
UFC Dustin Poirier Predicts Result McGregor vs Chandler Result
“I think that if Conor comes back anything like he was with his timing and rhythm, with the injury that he had and this long of a layoff, and we’re not getting any younger either. If he comes back similar to who he was before he left, I think he stops Michael Chandler.
If Conor is who he was before the injury and stuff, I think two rounds — I think the fight’s over in two rounds.”Poirier recently defeated McGregor twice in quick succession, with the Irishman breaking his leg in the third leg of their trilogy. In both fights, McGregor looked like a shadow of his former self, unable to impose his will on Dustin Poirier.
It was a stark contrast compared to the first time they fought, at featherweight, which saw McGregor win by an earth-shattering TKO. Conor McGregor has not fought in the two years since, but Poirier has nothing but faith in his old foe.
“If anybody can [dial back the clock], I think it would be him. If he’s 100 percent dedicated and focused, and put the blinders on and really go at this with all of himself, I think he can. But we’ll see, man. That’s what makes it so interesting.”
Poirier also clearly harbors no bad blood for either man, and knows that his two wins over Conor McGregor will feature heavily in the new Netflix series McGregor Forever. He hasn’t watched it yet, but “The Diamond” is going to make the time.
“I’m definitely watching. My phone’s been blown up obviously with people watching it and telling me stuff, but I’m waiting until I get to camp and have some downtime, because I’m going to do the first week of training camp by myself, so I’m going to have plenty of time after training to get caught up on documentaries and stuff. That’s kind of what I do.”
Is Dustin Poirier’s prediction for McGregor vs Chandler correct? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
