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| Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC |
Widely expected to make his second Octagon appearance of the year if all the chips fall in favour, former two-weight world champion, 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor has confirmed his intentions to score a rematch with former interim lightweight best, Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier prior to another foray into the squared-circle against world champion, Manny Pacquiao.
Whilst the above mentioned, Poirier has explained he's still yet to receive an official contract to rematch McGregor - both men have voiced their willingness to run back their UFC 178 matchup back in September of 2014 on social media over the last two weeks.
Initially proposing a charity mixed martial arts event in Dublin's docklands on December 12th. without promotion from the UFC, McGregor and Poirier appeared to agree on the date, with the former detailing how he'd pledge $500,000 to Poirier's charity,
The Good Fight Foundation.
UFC president, Dana White then commented on the possibility of the event, confirming how the promotion had reached out to both Poirier and McGregor to gauge interest in a rematch between the two, under the promotion's scrutiny at a January 23rd. pay-per-view.
Straight Blast Gym mainstay, McGregor explained how he's accepted the opportunity to rematch Poirier, but insisted on a date this side of 2021 - ideally in November or December, instead of a January call. Maintaining the issues would be ironed out, Poirier seemed to share McGregor's thought process - and further told how he believed the Dubliner was utilising the possible rematch in order to prepare for a floated boxing match opposite the above-mentioned southpaw, Pacquiao.
"
He's angling to fight (Manny) Pacquiao right? That was in the news,"
Poirier told Teddy Atlas. "
I don't know if the UFC wants him to fight one more time before they allow him to fight Pacquiao or if he wants to get one more in this year before starting next year with the Pacquiao fight. But what better way to do it against another southpaw. I think that might be part of his mindset, maybe he wants to fight a southpaw before he fights another southpaw. I don't know what's going on but I just feel like that's what the alignment is."
In a response last night, McGregor confirmed Poirier's theory, touting his need to sharpen his overall skills before testing boxing for the second time as a professional following his August 2018 pairing with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Correct. Southpaw box style. Continue to sharpen my MMA skills with some tough competition, while leading into my Manny (Pacquiao) bout preparation. It's not easy going between both sports and then coming back to the one sport again. Just want to keep sharp guys, that's all. It's only fair."
Correct. Southpaw box style. Continue to sharpen my MMA skills with some tough competition, while leading into my Manny bout preparation.
It’s not easy going between both sports and then coming back to the one sport again.
Replying to the Dubliner, American Top Team trainee, Poirier confirmed his attentions to box with McGregor upon their expected rematch - maintaining he would see him sooner rather than later.
"Box we will. See you soon!"
Box we will. See you soon! ⚔ https://t.co/CxyVrhnrzB
A matchup this year would mark a second Octagon appearance of the annum for both lightweight contenders, with Poirier returning to action in the main event of UFC Vegas 4 in June - taking a unanimous decision win over Dan Hooker in an entertaining back-and-forth.
Despite calling time on his career once more back in June - McGregor remains in the USADA testing-pool, with his last Octagon walk coming in January in a welterweight headliner opposite Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone at UFC 246 - where he scored a forty-second knockout win.
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