Dustin Poirier lists five ways Conor McGregor could beat him at UFC 257 and insists rematch is not about revenge

DUSTIN POIRIER has identified FIVE of Conor McGregor's greatest strengths ahead of their January showdown.

It was finally confirmed yesterday that the lightweights will meet at UFC 257 on January 23.

But it won't be the first time the pair have come up against each, with McGregor beating Poirier in just 96 seconds back in 2014.

It means Poirior, 31, is only too aware of what Notorious brings to the cage.

And speaking ahead of their much anticipated reunion, Poirier highlighted all the tools his rival could use to beat him – counter-attacking, timing, balance, big punching and his underrated jiu-jitsu skills.

Poirier told MMA Junkie: “We have to get in there and find out how it aligns.

"Watching footage and stuff like that, I can tell you the guy has one of the best counter-twos in the game. No doubt about it.

"His timing, his balance, his understanding of distance when guys are being too heavy on their front foot and throwing power shots.

"He’s a great counter puncher. He really is. I give him credit for that.

“I’m sure he’s always evolving and working to get better. I think people, because he’s been submitted, he’s such a big puncher, people underestimate his ground game.

"I think his jiu-jitsu and his grappling is better than people give him credit for. I really do. I’m not underestimating this guy in any aspect of mixed martial arts.

"I’m expecting him to come out as a mixed martial artist, not a boxer, not a one-puncher. He’s coming to fight, and so am I.”

While McGregor's comprehensive victory in their previous fight might hint at a likely repeat, much has changed in the intervening six years.

Above everything Poirier is a more mature fighter now, and insists he won't be going into the bout thinking of revenge.

Poirier said: "This is a completely different fight. We’re both completely different fighters, and I’m not really looking back at that first fight.

“I was emotional in the first one. I wanted to hurt the guy. This time I just want to outsmart him, just want to beat him. This is business. This isn’t any ill will towards the guy.

“When I was younger, I used to fight with a lot of emotion. This isn’t the same thing for me. This isn’t about getting even for me. This isn’t like a revenge type of thing for me.

"This is about moving my career forward, about putting my family in a better spot. It’s not trying to get back a guy who got me. This is just business.”

Poirier has been much more active in the octagon in recent years, fighting eight times in the last four years compared to just two for 32-year-old McGregor.

Both come into the fight on the back of victories, with whoever wins likely to move into contention for a shot at the lightweight title.

The contest is expected to be held on Fight Island.

Source: Read Full Article