Conor McGregor's trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier is "close" to being finalised for later this year.
This is according to a UFC insider Ariel Helwani who reports that the fight is being scheduled for UFC 264 on July 10.
He reports: "It is not signed yet or fully agreed to, but there is optimism that it could be finalized as soon as this week, sources say."
UFC president Dana White said on Saturday that the plan is for UFC 264 to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with fans present. Asked if Poirier vs. McGregor would be the main event, White said: "I hope so. We all hope so."
McGregor and Poirier last fought in January with Poirier recording a second-round TKO in a rematch of their 2014 fight. It was revenge for the American after McGregor defeated him via first-round TKO in their first clash in 2014.
A trilogy fight would likely be the one of the most lucrative in the history of the sport, with White thinking it is the right move for Poirier who could potentially have shot at the lightweight title vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“That's smart. That's what he should do,” White said. “He should take the rematch, take that fight. It's a big fight for him.
“Kid's worked hard his whole life, his whole career to be in a position like this. That's the fight you take.
“We've been in positions like this before with others who have made the mistake of not taking that fight, and [it was the] biggest mistake of their lives.”
