Dustin Poirier: Conor McGregor Wants To Fight Me To Prepare For Manny Pacquiao

Poirier McGregorDustin Poirier believes there is an ulterior motive in Conor McGregor wanting to fight him next. McGregor recently claimed to have accepted the UFC’s offer for a fight with Poirier, but laid out the condition that it take place before the end of the year as opposed to early next year. As of now, there […]

Poirier McGregor

Dustin Poirier believes there is an ulterior motive in Conor McGregor wanting to fight him next.

McGregor recently claimed to have accepted the UFC’s offer for a fight with Poirier, but laid out the condition that it take place before the end of the year as opposed to early next year.

As of now, there is no update on the fight as all we can do is wait. But as for why McGregor wants this particular fight, Poirier believes it’s to help him prepare for a potential boxing match with Manny Pacquiao.

“Going back to why I think he wants this fight, it’s because he’s angling to fight Pacquiao. That was in the news,” Poirier said on “THE FIGHT” with Teddy Atlas (via MMA Junkie). “So I don’t know if the UFC wants him to fight one more time before they allow him to fight Pacquiao or if he just wants to get one more this year before starting next year with the Pacquiao fight, but what better way to do it against another southpaw?

“I think that might be his mind set. He wants to fight another southpaw before he fights another southpaw. I don’t know what’s going on, but I think that’s what the alignment is.”

McGregor had previously hinted he was fighting Pacquiao in a lucrative boxing match, though that was before talk of a Poirier fight came up. However, it’s also possible that he wants to fight Poirier simply because of what UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov recently stated.

“Khabib, the current champion, said that if Conor or Tony fights me and wins then he’ll give him another title shot, so that’s in his head too,” Poirier said. “I think that’s creating a perfect storm, and it’s coming together that he’s coming out in public and saying, ‘Hey, I want to fight Dustin Poirier this year.’”

Whether it happens or not remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure — Poirier will not go into a potential rematch with strong emotions like he did for their first meeting with McGregor which saw him lose via first-round knockout.

“I’m not going to go in there and fight with anger,” Poirier added. “I’m going in there and fighting with skills. My last few fights I just felt something different happening in the lead-up to the fight. It was less pressure. In a weird way I care less.

“I cared too much before. I cared too much, and that blinded me, and I got in the way of myself. I care, but not like I used to. It’s hard for the average person to understand, but it’s important for me to keep that mindset. I’m going to be all right. Whatever happens I’m going to be all right.”

Do you agree with Poirier?

Manny Pacquiao Open to Fight with Conor McGregor; Wants to Be Co-Promoter

Manny Pacquiao announced that he is open to fighting ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor in a statement made Wednesday, but he made clear that he wants to do so as a co-promoter with his new company, Pac Sports and Entertainment…

Manny Pacquiao announced that he is open to fighting ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor in a statement made Wednesday, but he made clear that he wants to do so as a co-promoter with his new company, Pac Sports and Entertainment…

John Kavanagh Confirms Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao Is “In The Works”

KavanaghRenowned coach, John Kavanagh, leader of Straight Blast Gym Ireland and head-coach of former UFC lightweight and featherweight titleholder, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor – has confirmed that talks are underway for a boxing match between his student, and multiple-time world champion Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao with the matchup, currently “in the works“.  32-year-old Dubliner, McGregor rounded […]

Kavanagh

Renowned coach, John Kavanagh, leader of Straight Blast Gym Ireland and head-coach of former UFC lightweight and featherweight titleholder, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor – has confirmed that talks are underway for a boxing match between his student, and multiple-time world champion Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao with the matchup, currently “in the works“. 

32-year-old Dubliner, McGregor rounded off a series of tweets earlier this week in which he leaked DMs between himself and UFC president, Dana White – by announcing he will be making another foray into the squared-circle, this time opposite Philippines fan-favourite, Pacquiao

McGregor, who announced his decision to retire from mixed martial arts once again following the main event of UFC 250 in June, remains in the USADA testing-pool, with representatives from the anti-doping agency arriving at his yacht in Corsica to administer tests. McGregor was arrested on the French island in relation to an alleged attempted sexual assault and sexual exhibition against a young married woman in the port town of Calvi. The Crumlin native was released without charge in relation to the allegations.

Last night, McGregor and one-time foe, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier agreed on a charity MMA rematch at the Point Depot in Dublin for December 12th. – with the former suggesting no involvement from the UFC, despite both still under contract with the promotion. 

Speaking with Boxing Productions TV recently, Kavanagh confirmed that talks are underway between McGregor’s and Pacquiao’s camp – with a clash between the two sometime next year, “in the works“.

It’s in the works. Both boxers have agreed fundamentally,” Kavanagh said. “Behind the scenes, there are a lot of terms and conditions, legal teams and managers that have to work out fine details. I believe it will happen. When? I’m not sure. I think it might be early next year. The wheels are in motion. It looks like I’ll be coaching boxing again. Boxing it is for now and I’m up for this.

For McGregor, a return to boxing word mark his second professional foray into the sport, following a multi-million dollar payday opposite 50-0 sport icon, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. back in August of 2017 – where he dropped a tenth round knockout defeat.

Pacquiao, like McGregor – tackled Mayweather in a highly-anticipated boxing match back in May of 2015 – dropping a unanimous decision defeat over twelve rounds. The 41-year-old is currently enjoying a three-fight rise, including a knockout over Lucas Matthysse to win the WBA welterweight crown, a decision win over Adrien Broner, and another judging win, this time over Keith Thurman to claim the WBA super welterweight championship in July of last year. 

Conor McGregor Tells Dana White to Stop Lying’ After ‘Man Code’ Remark

Retired UFC star Conor McGregor’s war of words with Dana White continues after the UFC president said the fighter violated an unwritten rule by publicizing direct messages they exchanged on social media…

Retired UFC star Conor McGregor’s war of words with Dana White continues after the UFC president said the fighter violated an unwritten rule by publicizing direct messages they exchanged on social media…

Conor McGregor Admires His Work Against Mayweather, Looks Ahead To Pacquiao Bout

Conor McGregorConor McGregor has been admiring his boxing skills ahead of a potential fight against eight-weight champion Manny Pacquiao. McGregor revealed earlier this week that a deal is done for him to square off against the boxing legend in the Middle East. A spokesperson for Pacquiao later confirmed the fight is set and the Filipino fighter […]

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor has been admiring his boxing skills ahead of a potential fight against eight-weight champion Manny Pacquiao.

McGregor revealed earlier this week that a deal is done for him to square off against the boxing legend in the Middle East. A spokesperson for Pacquiao later confirmed the fight is set and the Filipino fighter will be donating the vast majority of his purse to his fellow countrymen who are struggling amid the ongoing pandemic.

‘Notorious’ took to social media last night to admire his handy work in his lone boxing fight to date – a tenth round TKO loss to Floyd Mayweather back in 2017, he wrote.

“The very first shot of the fight. Right on the button through the guard. I didn’t even put anything into that shot. Just placed it. It was hard for me not to dwell on the full 12 rounds that were potentially ahead of me and hold back my shots early. Still tho right on the absolute button. The first punch thrown. Remember the experts saying I wouldn’t land even 1 lol. I landed more than them all. The picture above is the very first punch of the fight thrown, and landed, and inside the very first second of the fight. Bums all of them “experts”. Listen to none of them! Really I should have just sat right thru that shot and took his head off and fuck the distance. If it didn’t work out just give him a good boot into the neck and get DQ’d and fined and who’d give a fuck. I’m upset I fully followed the rules for that fight to be honest. Floyd deserved a volley at the least. A shoulder even, break the face.

“Manny not so much tho I don’t think, but I will see how the build up goes and wait to hear what bitter old Freddie Roach has to say and then make a decision. My Whiskeys at half a b and climbing I could take a fine. I’d rather fight MMA anyway not sure why I’ve been held back like this, it’s borderline criminal at this stage. The biggest number generator in the game asking for four fights since February this year and getting left on seen. It’s pretty fucked up when I keep thinking of it. I’ve been right here this whole time. Bob Chapek, do you copy! I repeat, Bob Chapek – Do You Copy! Anyways boxing it is for now and I’m up for this! I hope no bottling takes place here. I’m already agreeing to these limited rules and holding back my full array of weapons. Let’s get it going guys. Much love, the champ champ.”

View this post on Instagram

The very first shot of the fight. Right on the button through the guard. I didn’t even put anything into that shot. Just placed it. It was hard for me not to dwell on the full 12 rounds that were potentially ahead of me and hold back my shots early. Still tho right on the absolute button. The first punch thrown. Remember the experts saying I wouldn’t land even 1 lol. I landed more than them all. The picture above is the very first punch of the fight thrown, and landed, and inside the very first second of the fight. Bums all of them “experts”. Listen to none of them! Really I should have just sat right thru that shot and took his head off and fuck the distance. If it didn’t work out just give him a good boot into the neck and get DQ’d and fined and who’d give a fuck. I’m upset I fully followed the rules for that fight to be honest. Floyd deserved a volley at the least. A shoulder even, break the face. Manny not so much tho I don’t think, but I will see how the build up goes and wait to hear what bitter old Freddie Roach has to say and then make a decision. My Whiskeys at half a b and climbing I could take a fine. I’d rather fight MMA anyway not sure why I’ve been held back like this, it’s borderline criminal at this stage. The biggest number generator in the game asking for four fights since February this year and getting left on seen. It’s pretty fucked up when I keep thinking of it. I’ve been right here this whole time. Bob Chapek, do you copy! I repeat, Bob Chapek – Do You Copy! Anyways boxing it is for now and I’m up for this! I hope no bottling takes place here. I’m already agreeing to these limited rules and holding back my full array of weapons. Let’s get it going guys. Much love, the champ champ

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on

Do you think Conor McGregor will actually box Manny Pacquiao?

Manny Pacquiao Confirms He Will Fight Conor McGregor In 2021

manny pacquiaoBoxing legend Manny Pacquiao has confirmed he will face off against former dual-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor who broke news of the fight late last night. ‘Notorious’ originally took to social media to explain to fans why he decided to retire from fighting earlier this year while also simultaneously trying to line up a bout […]

manny pacquiao

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has confirmed he will face off against former dual-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor who broke news of the fight late last night.

‘Notorious’ originally took to social media to explain to fans why he decided to retire from fighting earlier this year while also simultaneously trying to line up a bout against MMA legend Diego Sanchez.

“To Diego Sanchez… I seen your recent comments about your final bout and I am in! After you fought Pereira, I had requested for myself and you to compete in Dublin,” McGregor wrote. “This was back in February when I was working on opposition for my season, pre covid. Good luck this weekend!”

McGregor finished off his series of tweets by revealing he is set for his second boxing match, this time against Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao, he said.

“Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook. I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.”

Since then a spokesperson for Pacquiao has confirmed the bout will take place in the Middle East.

“For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year. The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic,” Pacquiao’s office said.

McGregor hasn’t fought since beating Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246 earlier this year. The Irishman needed just 40 seconds to score a KO victory over the MMA veteran. McGregor has fought professionally in boxing just once back in 2017. ‘Notorious’ fought Floyd Mayweather in his debut and managed to last 10 rounds before being stopped on his feet

Eight-division world champion Pacquiao who turns 42 in December has not been seen in the boxing ring since he picked up a unanimous decision win over Keith Thurman. ‘Pac-Man’ dropped Thurman in round one and ultimately beat him over 12 rounds in July 2019.  

Do you think Conor McGregor will be able to compete with Manny Pacquiao?