Dustin Poirier has backed Conor McGregor to cease Michael Chandler inside two rounds, offered that the Irishman is ‘100 percent dedicated and focused’.
McGregor and Chandler, each of whom have fought Poirier earlier than, are set to sq. off later this yr, although no date, location or weight class has been confirmed for the UFC bout.
Poirier suffered a TKO loss to McGregor in 2014, however the American exacted his revenge in January 2021 with a knockout win, earlier than their trilogy struggle six months later ended with McGregor struggling a damaged leg. That contest went down as a TKO victory for Poirier, who submitted Chandler in every man’s most up-to-date struggle, in November 2022.
Poirier mentioned McGregor vs Chandler on The MMA Hour this week, saying: “I think that if Conor comes back anything like he was, with his timing and rhythm, with the injury that he had and this long of a lay-off – and we’re not getting any younger either… if he comes back similar to who he was before he left, I think he stops Michael Chandler.
“If Conor is who he was before the injury and stuff, I think two rounds; I think the fight’s over in two rounds.
“If anybody can [dial back the clock], I think it would be [McGregor]. If he’s 100 percent dedicated and focused, and [he can] put the blinders on and really go at this with all of himself, I think he can. But we’ll see, man. That’s what makes it so interesting.”
McGregor’s 2014 victory over Poirier was a key second on the Irishman’s journey to profitable the UFC featherweight title, which he secured in 2015. A yr later, McGregor claimed the light-weight belt to grow to be the primary dual-weight champion in UFC historical past.
Meanwhile, Poirier is a former interim light-weight champion who has twice did not win the undisputed belt. Compatriot Chandler is a former three-time Bellator light-weight champion, who has additionally unsuccessfully challenged for the UFC light-weight title.
McGregor suffered a damaged leg in 2021, whereas dropping to Poirier for the second time in six months
(Getty Images)
McGregor’s back-to-back bouts with Poirier in 2021 characteristic closely in McGregor Forever, the second documentary protecting the 34-year-old’s profession. The four-part sequence was launched on Netflix this month, and you’ll learn The Independent’s evaluation right here.
Poirier is because of return to the ring in July, taking up Justin Gaethje in the principle occasion of UFC 291. The vacant ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title will probably be on the road within the all-American conflict, which is a rematch of a 2018 bout gained by Poirier.
Poirier stopped Gaethje, a fellow former interim light-weight champion, within the fourth spherical.
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Source: www.impartial.co.uk
