Conor McGregor has admitted he was too focused on a boxing fight against Manny Pacquiao as he prepared to take on Dustin Poirier.
The Irishman believed a rematch with Poirier would be ideal preparation for a future fight against Pacquiao given both men are southpaws.
But McGregor's game plan fell apart as he was stopped by Poirier in the second round last month.
And explaining where he went wrong, the former two-weight world champion said: "I enjoyed racking up some more time inside the famed UFC Octagon.
"Forty seconds in three years is all I’d had up to this bout. I was savouring every second and enjoying my work [but I was a] little single disciplined in my approach and stance with mostly boxing.
"It’s what I get for picking this bout and opponent as a precursor to a boxing match against Pacman. I deserved to get the legs kicked off me going in with this thinking.
"This is not the game to play around with. Besides this though my shots were sharp and I was in full control. Albeit the leg attacks were building up on me throughout the course.
"Eighteen in total [were] thrown at me, with the final one buckling my leg fully, that was that. The peroneal nerve [was] compromised. Fascinating! First time to experience it. Then a tremendous finishing flurry by my opponent. Hats off! A well fought fight by The Diamond."
McGregor immediately demanded a third fight against Poirier having KO'd the American in their first meeting in 2014.
The Dubliner wants the trilogy bout to take place in May with the UFC lightweight title on the line.
And he added: "One a piece now with a trilogy bout for all the marbles! Wow! Exciting!
"Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be. This is exactly how this was always meant to be! Buzzing!"
