DUSTIN POIRIER’s rematch with Conor McGregor just isn’t a foregone conclusion, in line with former UFC standout Chael Sonnen.
Fan favorite Poirier will rematch The Notorious next month in the main event of UFC 257, which is anticipated to happen on Combat Island in Abu Dhabi.
Dustin Poirier will rematch Conor McGregor subsequent month at UFC 257Credit score: GETTY
Chael Sonnen reckons Dustin Poirier is able to getting the higher of Conor McGregor second time roundCredit score: GETTY
‘The Diamond’ got here up quick in his first assembly with the Irishman six years in the past, struggling a devastating first-round KO loss at UFC 178.
Poirier’s probabilities of exacting revenge on McGregor have been written off by many, regardless of the immense enhancements he is made since their first conflict.
However former middleweight and light-heavyweight title challenger Sonnen insists the delight of Lafayette, Louisiana is able to springing an upset.
He said: “In fact, he [Poirier] might get it carried out. In the event you return and take a look at that first battle and add trajectory to this battle, it’s attention-grabbing as a result of it was an all get up battle. For nevertheless lengthy it lasted.
“In the event you return and take a look at it the pure boxing of that night time vs immediately, Dustin immediately would eliminate that Dustin sooner than Conor did. So I feel it’s a very totally different match.”
Sonnen reckons Poirier’s finest path to victory lies in pressuring and crowding McGregor from the outset.
He added: “Conor does have a pace benefit on opponents, so it would behoove Dustin to combine it up a little bit bit, notably early, and get his arms on him and push him, pull him.
“Not simply commerce with him however even when we’re left with the trade-in, I’ll a minimum of keep for you that Dustin is significantly better immediately than he was then.”
UFC president Dana White agrees with Sonnen’s evaluation that Poirier is not a lay-up for ‘Mystic Mac’, telling BT Sport: “It’s a totally totally different battle.
“Clearly Conor is a significantly better fighter than he was when he first confronted him, and Poirier is a significantly better fighter too.
“I don’t know the way that performs out now within the battle, nevertheless it’s positively attention-grabbing.
“You may’t take a look at the primary battle and go, ‘Oh, that is precisely the way in which that’s gonna go once more.’ As a result of it received’t.”
McGregor, 32, has been making ready for what he hopes would be the first of a number of outings subsequent yr in Portugal.
The Dubliner, nevertheless, not too long ago returned the Emerald Isle forward of the Christmas holidays.
McGregor – the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion – hasn’t fought since his January demolition of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
Poirier, in the meantime, final fought in June – successful a five-round battle with Dan Hooker through unanimous choice.
