UFC president Dana White has compared Conor McGregor to Rocky Balboa as negotiations over a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier continue.
Poirier avenged a 2014 defeat to McGregor by claiming a technical knock-out victory over the Irishman at UFC 257 in January, the 32-year-old’s first defeat by a knock-out in his UFC career.
Both fighters are believed to be keen to set up a trilogy fight to determine the victor of their rivalry, with hopes of a summer date growing.
And White believes McGregor’s loss will make him a better fighter, even comparing him to legendary silver screen boxer Balboa.
“I think the loss put him back into a really good place,” White told the Jim Rome Show.
“It’s the classic Rocky III. You’re pulling up to the fight in yachts and covered in Versace and you got all the money in the world, it’s hard to stay hungry.”
White also gave fans more hope that a trilogy fight will be scheduled, insisting that McGregor wants to avenge his January defeat.
“Conor’s ready to roll. Conor wants to fight again,” he said.
“He wants the rematch with Dustin Poirier, and he wants it as soon as possible. We’re working on it. Hopefully this summer.”
Poirier recently gave fans the most promising update so far, revealing his team have started to work out a structure for a deal with McGregor.
"Conor wants the trilogy, and I do too," Poirier told the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. "If they want to do it, let’s do it.
"I don't directly talk to them. They talk to my manager, Rob Roveta. We try to put ourselves in the best position to sit at the table with them and have a legit conversation about getting this fight booked.
"We are trying to structure the right deal, and when that happens, the fight will be on. Until then, we will see.
"I think the trilogy makes a lot of sense and a lot of money. So we’re just trying to get the right deal structured and see what the timeframe is.”
