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UFC president Dana White revealed to Barstool Sports on the “My Mom’s Basement” podcast that he just offered UFC superstar Conor McGregor the rematch he desires against former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. It didn’t take long for at least one side of that promotion to seemingly agree to the bout.
“I accept,” Poirier posted via various social media channels on Wednesday.
I Accept
But a few hours later, McGregor posted via social media something that indicates the former UFC “champ champ” might still rather promote the fight himself and do it for charity.
McGregor posted, “Martial art sparring match in aid of charity. Dublin, December 12th 2020. Free to air spar. McGregor vs Poirier. List of chosen charities available soon. All donations welcome”
Martial art sparring match in aid of charity. Dublin, December 12th 2020.
Free to air spar. McGregor vs Poirier.
List of chosen charities available soon. All donations welcome ❤️
So McGregor seems to be on his way to facing Poirier in a stunning rematch no matter what. The only question remaining is whether it’s for the UFC or for charity.
McGregor defeated Poirier via first-round stoppage back in 2014 at UFC 178.
But both fighters went on to win UFC gold after that meeting, so a rematch between the two superstars could make a ton of sense six years later.
Whether for charity, the UFC or both somehow, there will be tons of interest in McGregor vs. Poirier 2.
McGregor Already Offered to Fight Poirier Again
McGregor had previously offered the bout to Poirier as a stand-alone promotion earlier in the week.
That stunning move is apparently what triggered White and the UFC to finally offer both men the fight.
“(Conor) called out Poirier for a fight with (him) in Dublin for charity,” White said to Barstool Sports per MMA Junkie. “So we offered them both a fight. We offered Dustin and Conor a fight, so we’re waiting to hear back from both of them.”
Almost immediately after White’s comments about offering the fight were published online, Poirier posted what most people interpreted as his response to that offer via social media.
“I accept,” Poirier posted.
After McGregor’s public tirade about wanting to fight in the UFC again but settling for a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao instead went viral over the weekend, McGregor offered Poirier the opportunity to fight the Irish superstar in an MMA charity exhibition bout.
McGregor and Poirier started negotiating that fight via Twitter before McGregor ultimately decided it would probably be best to take things offline for the remainder of their discussion about the bout.
The tentative date set forth for the McGregor vs. Poirier charity fight is December 12 per McGregor’s social media posts about the matter.
But now it appears the UFC has offered the two popular UFC fighters the same chance to fight each other again but in a legitimate prizefight under the UFC’s promotional banner.
Either way, McGregor vs. Poirier 2 seems likely.
Both McGregor and Poirier Won Last Fights
McGregor, 32, defeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246 by first-round stoppage in January. That fight was McGregor’s first back in the UFC since his fourth-round submission loss UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018.
Poirier, 31, defeated Dan Hooker at UFC on ESPN 12 in June via five-round decision in a Fight of the Year candidate. Then, the American seemed to be on his way to facing fellow former interim champ Tony Ferguson at UFC 254 next month before that fight fell through over money issues.
ESPN Confirms UFC Sent Contracts
The initial report about the UFC’s offer to both fighters to turn McGregor vs. Poirier 2 into reality under the UFC’s promotional banner was later confirmed by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Per Okamoto, “Per sources, UFC did formally offer Conor McGregor a fight against Dustin Poirier this week, as Dana White told Barstool Sports today. Sent a bout agreement on Tuesday, I’m told. DOES NOT MEAN THE FIGHT IS DONE. Not even close. But a contract was offered for the bout.”
Per sources, UFC did formally offer Conor McGregor a fight against Dustin Poirier this week, as Dana White told Barstool Sports today. Sent a bout agreement on Tuesday, I’m told. DOES NOT MEAN THE FIGHT IS DONE. Not even close. But a contract was offered for the bout.
Per Okamoto’s ESPN report:
Sources close to McGregor confirmed to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that the Irish star was offered the Poirier fight, but his management team reaffirmed its desire to fight Manny Pacquiao, and have a charity sparring match with Poirier instead of the proposed Jan. 23 UFC fight between the two.
So things seem like they’ll remain in a holding pattern there until both fighters reveal their official decisions.
UFC fight or charity bout? McGregor vs. Poirier 2 could be on its way.
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