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Despite reports stating that the highly-anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier was a done deal, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President, Dana White, remains adamant that the Lightweight bout is far from official.
Speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, White says the hopes are that the fight goes down at UFC 257 on Jan 23, 2021, but said while Poirier has already signed his end of the deal, McGregor has yet to do so. Furthermore, he went on to say that a location for the bout has yet-to-be finalized, meaning it could either go down in Las Vegas, Nevada or on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.
To hear the outspoken head honcho tell it, it all depends on where the world is in the coming months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s not true that the fight is booked. Dustin is signed, but Conor hasn’t received or signed his bout agreement,” he said. “We sent the bout agreement to Conor today, but nothing is done yet. Jan. 23 on Fight Island if everything goes according to plans. There are a ton of if’s right now. I have to see where the world is in the next couple of months.”
Of course, “Fight Island” has been key for UFC throughout the pandemic since White and Co. have hosted several events on Yas Island that has allowed its international fighters the chance to compete. As far as “Sin City” goes, UFC has had little issue staging events there since the APEX is the promotion’s own little playground to do as it pleases, as long as it’s approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
Still, Poirier signing his side of the deal is a good sign to say the least since “Diamond” recently expressed his frustrations at not being able to get the right contract. McGregor, meanwhile, hasn’t had too much trouble getting the paydays he asks for from the promotion in the past, though his request to fight this year was shot down, as was his AT&T Stadium wish.
And so the wait continues…