There is now seemingly no doubt that a trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is next for both men.
After Poirier (28-6 MMA, 19-5 UFC) got redemption with a second-round TKO of McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in January at UFC 257, all signs have slowly started to shift toward a rubber match coming to fruition.
Poirier recently said on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that he’s ready for it to happen but is waiting for “the right deal” to be put on the table.
According to UFC president Dana White, who appeared on “The Jim Rome Show” on Wednesday, McGregor is keen to get in there with Poirier again immediately, but White said the wait could last until summer.
“Conor’s ready to roll,” White said. “Conor wants to fight again. He wants the rematch with Dustin Poirier, and he wants it as soon as possible. We’re working on it. Hopefully this summer”
White has said in the past that McGregor is “obsessed” with earning redemption over Poirier, much like when he had a setback against Nate Diaz before rebounding just five months later in the second fight.
McGregor’s mindset and commitment toward evolving in the sport have repeatedly come into question in the aftermath of UFC 257. From White’s perspective, though, the former two-division champion is doing what he needs to do.
“I think the loss put him back into a really good place,” White said. “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.”
For their part, McGregor and Poirier have already started building up some hype toward a likely final encounter (via Twitter):
Guys I’m gonna cheque the leg kick
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 3, 2021
I'm not throwing kicks, just headbutts next time out https://t.co/VkOkaYAhFj
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 3, 2021
