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The biggest attraction in combat sports today will return to the Octagon later tonight (Sat., Jan. 23, 2021) at UFC 257 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Etihad Arena on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., as former UFC double champ Conor McGregor takes another crack at 155 pounds when he squares off with perennial contender Dustin Poirier in the main event.
While McGregor’s rematch with Poirier on “Fight Island” won’t be for an actual UFC title it’s still pegged as one of the biggest and most important contests of 2021. That’s because current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has one foot out the door for retirement and nobody really knows if he’ll ever return. The winner of McGregor vs. Poirier 2 could easily slide into a title fight next if Khabib does decide to hang it up or even if he stays as well.
Remember, McGregor and Poirier have both lost to Khabib before so their rematches are certainly something the promotion can sell.
In any case, tonight’s main event carries a lot of weight at 155 pounds. It’s not only the first time we’re seeing “Notorious” compete at lightweight since his loss to Khabib back in 2018, but this is the best McGregor has ever looked. His head seems to be on straight and he’s ready to dig his heels into a division that could need a new champion.
It’s going to be one of the most talked about main events of the year, but when will McGregor and Poirier actually make their respective walks to the Octagon later tonight at UFC 257?
With four other fights taking place on the PPV main card starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, McGregor vs. Poirier 2 is likely to begin sometime around 12:00 a.m. ET (Sunday). None of the undercard bouts are scheduled for more than three rounds so things could roll along pretty quickly. However, a women’s flyweight bout between Jessica Eye and Joanne Calderwood is tailormade to go all three rounds, as well as Amanda Ribas’ strawweight showdown with Marina Rodriguez. You also have the co-main event between Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker than could end in the first round or go the distance.
If things run late (or early) Mania will be sure to provide an updated start time for tonight’s McGregor vs. Poirier 2 main event. You won’t want to miss it!
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 257 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN+ and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.