{"id":785315,"date":"2026-07-07T18:27:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T18:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/785315\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T18:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T18:27:15","slug":"dustin-poirier-makes-bold-claim-about-conor-mcgregors-ufc-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/785315\/","title":{"rendered":"Dustin Poirier Makes Bold Claim About Conor McGregor\u2019s UFC Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor<\/a> is four days away from finally returning to the Octagon for a welterweight rematch against former UFC Featherweight and “BMF” Champion Max Holloway in UFC 329’s main event.<\/a><\/p>\n

When McGregor last entered the Octagon five years ago, he did so in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 inside the T-Mobile Arena. Ironically enough, it’s the same Las Vegas-based venue he’ll return to Saturday night<\/a>, where his career took a dark, unmistakable turn with a devastating leg injury that has lingered over him since.<\/p>\n

Poirier, though, kept fighting. <\/p>\n

Dustin Poirier Opens Up On Conor McGregor\"Dustin<\/p>\n

Apr 16, 2014; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) celebrates beating Akira Corassani (not pictured) during their featherweight bout at Colisee Pepsi. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Despite never becoming an undisputed UFC champion, the Lafayette, Louisiana, native has undergone his own struggles away from the Octagon. Poirier has been open about addiction after a disturbing TMZ video in an Atlanta, Georgia, airport<\/a> circulated in recent weeks, which saw him in an intoxicated state that concerned the MMA community.<\/p>\n

Making mention of it, Poirier still doesn’t see eye-to-eye with McGregor. He admitted in a recent interview with Adam Catterall that even following the three-fight rivalry, there is still no love lost between the pair.<\/p>\n

Dustin Poirier: “Conor McGregor has God given gifts. He’s a special individual” <\/p>\n

“If anybody can come back after five years, put it all together, and start winning against the best guys, it’s Conor. He’s a special individual. Even though he’s a horrible person and I don’t like\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/nsDS9rjRBI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“If anybody can come back after five years, put it all together, and start winning against the best guys, it’s Conor,” Poirier said. “He’s a special individual. Even though he’s a horrible person and I don’t like him, he has some God-given gifts.”<\/p>\n

Can Conor McGregor Erase Douubts At UFC 329?\"Conor<\/p>\n

Chris Unger-Zuffa LL<\/p>\n

McGregor won the first matchup with Poirier at UFC 178 in Sept. 2014. It wound up being a springboard fight for McGregor to an eventual title fight against Jose Aldo a little over a year later. McGregor would then go on to make history, becoming the UFC’s first-ever simultaneous beltholder in a milestone era for the UFC (2014-2016).<\/p>\n

Both men would rematch at UFC 257 in Jan. 2021, which began the current losing skid McGregor is tasked with wiping clean (back-to-back).<\/p>\n

Despite the odds stacked against McGregor, it’s the added motivation from his former rivals that arguably makes his return to the UFC that much more intriguing.<\/p>\n

Is Conor McGregor Still UFC’s Biggest Draw?\"Conor<\/p>\n

McGregor-Instagram<\/p>\n

Whether he wins or loses is still hypothetical. But, either way, it appears McGregor’s star power remains relevant enough that there is still interest in the fight vs. Holloway. It’s a rematch with a 13-year backstory. Both men had exceptional careers following their fight, but never crossed paths until now.<\/p>\n

By the time both men make their entrances (and maintain Poirier’s interest) every question people have waited five years to answer will finally have resolution.<\/p>\n

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