Conor McGregor v Dustin Poirier headlines UFC 254 in Las Vegas on 10 July, with a packed T-Mobile Arena providing the backdrop. This will be the third and, likely, the final match-up between the Irishman and his long-term American rival. It’s one fight fans, pundits, the media, and bettors are all looking forward to but are struggling to call at this stage.
The leading trading teams covering UFC betting offer odds on the winner of this bout, but you can also make your predictions on several specials. How will the fight be won, points, KO or submission? Will the slugfest go the distance? Will there be a winner in the opening round? There’s something to satisfy all types of gamblers looking to wager on the latest comeback of the world-famous UFC star Notorious.
“McGregor vs Poirier” by Getty is licensed under CC BY 3.0
The decider
McGregor and Poirier have met in the octagon twice before, and the warriors have been involved in several wars of words since, both on social media and face-to-face. The head-to-head scores after those battles stand at one win each. McGregor claimed victory the first time with a brutal KO victory and was expected to do the same in the rematch. The Irishman met the American in his most recent bout, but Poirier came out on top that time, dismantling Conor in a round.
The scene is now set for the deciding fight this summer. A winner takes all contest. If McGregor can return to anywhere near his best form and land the desired result, he will catapult himself back into world championship contention. Or he could retire on the back of a strong win. You never can tell with Notorious.
If Poirier wins, he will set up a massive, money-spinning fight with one of the top names in the sport later this year and again headline a card that will be broadcast worldwide. It would, perhaps, be easier for Diamond to return from a loss to McGregor, but if the man who suffered defeat last time was to lose back-to-back, you’d imagine his career would lie in tatters, and he’d be forced to retire.
“McGregor vs Poirier” by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Critics believe it’s the end
Some sportswriters have already predicted the defeat of McGregor with the Irishman learning what they have known for years; he isn’t the fighter he once was. Some sections of the sporting press are already publishing stories about his next move into the world of WWE, where he would further boost his fortunes.
McGregor has become a wealthy man over the last few years, and he wouldn’t be the first fighter to become a victim of his success. Does he still have that competitive edge to compete at the top level when he already has everything he has ever dreamt of? The life of a star, known in every major country across the world as the face of UFC?
In combat sports, unfortunately, there’s only one way to find out if a warrior still has the thirst and drive for success, and that’s to step back onto the field of battle. Another fight could be one too many, or it could be the beginning of the Cinderella story and journey back to the top of the division. Only Conor knows how much he still wants it, and only Conor and his team know how committed he has been in training. The rest of us will have to wait and find out. Yes, he looks fantastic physically, but the strongest man doesn’t always win the fight. Mental strength is just as important as muscles when a bout gets into deep water.
Poirier prepares away from the spotlight
All the talk in the build-up to McGregor v Poirier III centers on the fighting Irishman. That is excellent news for his opponent, who has been allowed to prepare free from the burning heat of the media spotlight. He has lost to McGregor but got his revenge. He will believe he’s good enough to do it again.
Poirier is the underdog for the fight, and that will also work to his advantage. Both fighters are evenly matched on paper, but Dustin has been far the more active fighter. He will look to use that to stamp the final nail into the coffin of his rival’s career.
For more in-depth breakdown of the betting odds on this fight, take a look here.