Conor McGregor admitted that he was "gutted" after his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 - but he said he will fight again in 2021.
McGregor was caught cold in the second round by a flurry of punches from the Diamond after a series of debilitating calf kicks disabled the Dubliner.
And he could do nothing about it as Poirier rained down shots before referee Herb Dean decided that McGregor had had enough.
Speaking afterwards, the 32-year-old said that was "gutted" and that the loss was "a tough one to swallow".
"Ah, I’m gutted, I put so much work in," he admitted.
"Well done Dustin, right we’re 1-1 good man.
"Ah it’s a tough one to swallow.
"I put in a lot of work, I’m proud of my work.
"I would have liked to have represented my team a bit better.
"But we’ll get to go again.
"I’m gonna go home to my kids, in the hotel, and just chill for a bit, regroup, and that’s it."
But when asked by UFC lead commentator Jon Anik if we would see The Notorious again in 2021, McGregor was emphatic in his response.
"Of course," he said.
"I need activity guys. You don’t get away with being inactive in this business, and that’s the way it is. I’ll take my licks."
Poirier, meanwhile, was calm and confident after his victory - and also teased a potential trilogy fight with McGregor for later down the line.
“I’m happy man, but I’m not surprised,” said Poirier.
“I put in the work.
“The goal was to be technical, pick my shots and not brawl at all.
"We're 1-1. Maybe we have to do it again."
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