Dustin Poirier Alludes To Future Rubber-Match With Conor McGregor

Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger - Zuffa LLC

Immediately following their UFC 257 rematch almost two weeks ago on 'Fight Island', two-time foes Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor both remained somewhat coy on their next moves, however, both also firmly expressed their interest in a trilogy, rubber-match in the future. 

Since the January 23rd. event, the lightweight title picture remains as muddled as it has in recent months, with current undisputed champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov still billed as the current pacesetter, despite announcing his retirement from professional mixed martial arts back in October.

Poirier, who stamped his status as incoming title challenger via a second-round knockout win over McGregor in the lightweight main event, has more or less scuppered promotional ideas to pair him with co-main event winner, Michael Chandler, claiming the former three-time Bellator gold holder can't just challenge for Octagon gold off the back of a single win over common-foe, Dan Hooker.

Sitting at #3 in the official 155-pound pile, riding a stunning eight-fight undefeated streak, Sao Paulo submission specialist, Charles Oliveira has called for a vacant title pairing with Poirier, deservedly, however, the promotion recently attempted to pit him against the aforenoted, Chandler on short-notice at UFC 258 next weekend in a non-title bout. Rejecting the proposal, Oliveira echoed prior claims that his next fight has to be for a world title.

With the promotion's plans to book Chandler and Oliveira in a non-title bout, speculation has begun to mount as to where that leaves Poirier -- particularly given his number-one contender status, and score tying victory over McGregor. 

Detailing his interest in a reworked bout against rival, Nate Diaz following a failed UFC 230 matchup, Poirier again tonight claimed that he would run back a trilogy matchup, with whom we can only presume to be McGregor, with the Dubliner himself releasing a statement tonight, reflecting on the rematch -- before noting his "excitement" regarding a possible trilogy bout. "You know we are going to do it a 3rd. time," Poirier wrote on his official Twitter account.

You know we are going to do it a 3rd time ⚔

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 3, 2021

 

So it seems both parties are interested in a rubber-match, however, when exactly that potential trilogy matchup occurs could set quite the mood for the lightweight division. Team McGregor have voiced their interest in an Octagon return as soon as May, with a trilogy bout against Poirier, this time with vacant lightweight spoils up for grabs at the forefront of the Straight Blast Gym staple's mind.