Dustin Poirier wins trilogy at UFC 26 after Conor McGrgeor loses by TKO [Doctor stoppage] in round 1. [Courtesy of @UFCNews Twitter].
Matchmaker Monday following UFC 264
UFC 264 may have not closed out the rivalry between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor despite the fight being a trilogy.
In the final seconds of the opening round, the two lightweights stepped into punches and threw two hard shots in which McGregor’s punch missed and Poirier’s may have partially landed. While neither fighter landed a hard blow in the exchange, McGregor snapped his ankle in half when he stepped back from the exchange fell to the canvas.
The final few seconds of the round saw Poirier land heavy shots with McGregor covering up and once the horn sounded, McGregor pointed to his ankle and the ringside doctor came in a waved off the fight as McGregor knew that his ankle was broken.
With an odd ending to the fight and the trilogy, the question becomes will there be a fourth fight? Trilogies are rare. Seeing two fighters square off four times is even rarer. With that being said, let’s find out what’s next for both of these men on this edition of Matchmaker Monday.
Dustin Poirier
Result: defeated Conor McGregor by first-round TKO at UFC 264
Next: Charles Oliveira
Poirier maybe the best lightweight in the world. To save you a google search, his record at 155 pounds stands at 12-2, 1NC. He’s beaten five men that have held UFC titles and he claimed his own interim title in 2019.
Now following back-to-back wins over a rival and the sports biggest star, he’s earned another crack at the undisputed title.
Not only has Poirier acknowledged that he’s next for the title shot, but so has Oliveira, UFC president Dana White and the fans.
Conor McGregor
Result: lost to Dustin Poirier by first-round TKO at UFC 264
Next: Nate Diaz
McGregor had a great run and put the sport of mixed martial arts on the map. He’s a legend of the sport for sue. However, it appears that McGregor in current day 2021 is clearly not the same guy that he was a few years ago.
A fourth fight with Poirier will happen due to the ending of Saturday’s fight. McGregor wants it and at the post-fight press conference, White said he wants it and Poirier said he images their will be a fourth meeting.
That fight will not happen next. McGregor will have a lengthy recovery and Poirier will go on to fight for UFC gold and if he wins he made it clear that McGregor has won a singular fight since over the last five years and needs to beat someone to fight him again.
Cue in Diaz. That is another trilogy that sells at anytime. A win puts McGregor back into the spotlight. A loss likely ends in MMA career. A lot of decision making is headed for the sports icon.
