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There’s a lot going on during Conor McGregor’s main clash with Dustin Poirier later tonight (Saturday, Jan 23, 2021) at UFC 257 live on ESPN + PPV from the Etihad Arena on Fight Island at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Not only is this a six-year rematch, but the PPV headliner’s result could chart the lightweight division going forward.
McGregor, who returns to 155 pounds for the first time since losing to current UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, is hoping to use a win over “Diamond” to get in line for another title this year. With Khabib on the fence with retirement, the promotion would love the idea of ”Notorious” taking control in the lightweight division and actually trying to create a title reign unlike what he did in the featherweight. .
However, McGregor is not guaranteed to win this weekend against Poirier. And with Khabib’s future in doubt, it has cast a shadow over the lightweight division for the time being. The Irishman is close to a 3-1 favorite for his rematch with ‘Diamond’, but Poirier is a different fighter than when they first fought and is looking to lock in his own title in 2021.
With the stakes rising and UFC 257 certainly attracting millions of pay-per-view buyers, McGregor’s need to win may be at an all-time high. UFC President Dana White recently spoke with TMZ Sports to discuss the possibility of McGregor losing to Poirier at UFC 257 and what that could mean for the stacked lightweight division.
“People lose, man,” White said. “It happens. It’s part of the sport. Nothing happens. If he loses, he goes back to the drawing board and comes back and fights another day.
If McGregor loses this weekend at UFC 257, that could spell the end of a potential rematch with Khabib. “Notorious” is looking for another hit on the Russian champion since Khabib subdued McGregor at UFC 229.
“I’m sure Poirier would love a rematch with Khabib as well,” White said. Think about it. Charles Oliveira just had an incredible victory over Tony Ferguson, right? You have Poirier and McGregor fighting on Saturday and the main co-event is Dan Hooker, ranked No.6, against Michael Chandler, who is doing his UFC debut. This guy has fought everywhere outside of the UFC and is one of the all-time greats in the division. He wants to prove himself now here in the UFC. So no. any of these guys can end up fighting Khabib.
What do you think, fight the fans? How does the lightweight title scene go if McGregor loses to Poirier in UFC 257?
Ring!
MMAmania.com to provide live, turn-based, blow-by-blow coverage of entire UFC 257 fight map HERE, starting from the beginning ESPN + Online “preliminary” matches, which are scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET, then the remaining sub-card balance ESPN + and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the main PPV card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN +.
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