UFC president Dana White revealed a major update about Conor McGregor on Saturday night. White told the media during the post-fight press conference for UFC Las Vegas 12 that McGregor’s next fight was a now “done deal”. White told the media, “Yeah, it’s done…As far as I know, it’s done.”
Dana White says @DustinPoirier vs. @TheNotoriousMMA is finalized for Jan. 23: “As far as I know, it’s done.”
Full interview: t.co/Yx8xh1JpGy
McGregor will face Poirier in a rematch on January 23. The bout will be contested at 155 pounds. The fighters have long believed they were on their way to facing each other, but this is the first time the UFC had confirmed the bout was signed.
McGregor defeated Poirier via first-round stoppage in 2014. Six years later, both fighters have become huge stars in the sport, particularly McGregor, who has become the face of MMA around the world.
Poirier: ‘Stop Playing Games!’
Curiously, what’s “done” to White isn’t quite the same to Poirier.
On Monday, Poirier posted, “Me @TheNotoriousMMA is the fight January 23rd. let’s make it official! @ufc @danawhite send me the right contract. Stop playing games!”.
So White might believe the fight is on the way, but Poirier revealed he hasn’t officially signed the contract yet.
Regardless, most still expect to see McGregor vs. Poirier 2 on January 23.
Could Winner Fight Khabib Nurmagomedov Next?
While UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired after his defeat of Justin Gaethje last weekend at UFC 254, White revealed in the same post-fight press conference in which he confirmed McGregor vs. Poirier 2 that he remains unsure if Nurmagomedov is actually retired.
Because of that, White said Nurmagomedov would remain UFC lightweight champion.
While that doesn’t necessarily mean the winner of McGregor vs. Poirier 2 would get next crack at the undisputed lightweight champ, it would certainly seem to at least make the winner of the fight one of the most likely options.
Alongside the winner of McGregor vs. Poirier 2 as a potential next option for Nurmagomedov would be retired UFC legend Georges St-Pierre and longtime 155-pound contender Tony Ferguson.
If Khabib does come out of retirement for one more and go for 30-0 who would you want to see him fight? 🤔
While Nurmagomedov has stated numerous times this year that GSP would be his choice as a final fight, there’s no doubt that the UFC would probably try to make the Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor rematch happen over all other options should that be a possibility.
After all, the first fight between the two superstars at UFC 229 sold more pay-per-views than any other fight in company history.
A rematch could do even bigger numbers.
Or course, that’s only on the table if McGregor beats Poirier on January 23.
More About McGregor vs. Poirier Rematch
McGregor already defeated Poirier six years ago at UFC 178 via first-round knockout, but both fighters have gone on since that fight to become popular and accomplished UFC champs.
McGregor even became the promotion’s first-ever UFC fighter to simultaneously hold two championships at once, and Poirier is a former interim lightweight champ.
Both are coming off wins in their last UFC fights. Both are legit contenders in the UFC’s 155-pound division. Both believe they’re on their way to securing a win over the other and a bright future because of it.
It should also be noted that McGregor plans on competing in a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao sometime next year, too.
Follow the Heavy on UFC Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!
READ NEXT: List of UFC Fighters With Titles in Multiple Weight Classes
Twitter: @Kelsey_McCarson
YouTube: Real Talk with Kelsey and Rachel
Comments
Dana White on Conor McGregor: ‘It’s Done’