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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Colin Brennan

Conor McGregor v Dustin Poirier: Start time, Irish TV information, fight card and more for UFC 257

Conor McGregor will rematch his old rival Dustin Poirier this weekend in Abu Dhabi, more than six years after he stopped the American in the first round.

The pair will go head-to-head in the octagon at UFC 257 on January 23.

McGregor beat Poirier at UFC 178 back in September 2014.

The Dubliner has not been seen in the octagon since he beat Donald Cerrone a year ago.

Should the Notorious win for the 23rd time in his MMA career, a rematch with Khabib has been touted.

The Russian recently retired but has not relinquished his belt with a return potentially still on the cards.

And UFC chief White admits a fight between the two would make sense should McGregor win.

“In a perfect world, if Conor wins this fight, I would love to see the rematch with him and Khabib. It’s the fight that makes sense," he said.

What date and time is the fight on?

The fight will happen in the early hours of January 24 on the UFC's Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.

The prelims are set to begin at 11.30pm on Saturday night before Conor McGregor v Poirier take to the octagon at around 5am.

UFC 257 will be broadcast live on BT Sports Box Office in Ireland for a cost of €30.

In America, the event will be live on ESPN+.

What are the odds?

Conor McGregor is the favourite at 4/11 while Dustin is 2/1 currently.

The odds are subject to change.

What is the full card?

(Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)


Main card

  • Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier, Lightweight
  • Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler, Lightweight
  • Jessica Eye vs Joanne Calderwood, Women’s Flyweight
  • Matt Frevola vs Ottman Azaitar, Lightweight
  • Marina Rodriguez vs Amanda Ribas, Women’s Strawweight

Preliminary card

  • Nasrat Haqparast vs Arman Tsarukyan, Lightweight
  • Brad Tavares vs Antonio Carlos Junior, Middleweight
  • Julianna Pena vs Sara McMann, Women’s Bantamweight
  • Khalil Rountree Jr vs. Marcin Prachnio, Light Heavyweight
  • Andrew Sanchez vs Makhmud Muradov, Middleweight
  • Movsar Evloev vs Nik Lentz, Catchweight
  • Amir Albazi vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Flyweight

What has Conor McGregor said?

Having needed just 106 seconds to stop his rival in 2014, the Dubliner believes he can do even better this time around.

"I like Dustin. I think he's a good fighter," he said. "He's even a great fighter. But great is still levels below me. I'll knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds."

What has Dustin Poirier said?

Conor McGregor beat Dustin Poirier in 2014 (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Poirier is confident that their fight will not end in a victorious return for the Irishman.

“I envision a lot of different things happening and the fight going different ways, but at the end I always envision me winning,” he said.

“Getting back on that long flight home with the win, come and see my daughter. That feels so good you know.

“Whatever it takes to make that a reality, I'm willing to do so let's just go.”

How has Conor's training been going?


McGregor has drafted in fellow countryman Dylan Moran who has a professional boxing record of 15-1 as he completes his training.

The invitation follows on from McGregor trading blows with boxers Conor Wallace and Tiernan Bradley in recent years.

And when asked about the sessions on social media, the former two-weight UFC champion said: "Very tough! I got a nice a shot that clipped the nose upward and made it bleed.

"The rounds were super close though; razor! Dylan is one of the better boxers I've ever shared the ring with. A phenomenally exciting Irish talent!"

Will fans be able to go?

Conor McGregor after the Donald Cerrone fight (©INPHO/Tom Hogan)

UFC 257 will have a ‘limited number of spectators’ in the Fight Island safe zone, it has been confirmed.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism have said they would be allowed in.

A statement on the official Twitter said: “The triple header will see three mega-fights, utilizing Abu Dhabi’s proven ‘safe zone’ concept to protect the health and safety of all delegates, spectators, crew and media.”

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