On January 23rd, 2021, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier will meet in the cage for the second time in their professional careers. At the main event of UFC 257, the lightweight contenders will battle for superiority on their paths back to a 155-pound title shot. Having won the first fight between the pair at UFC 178, many believe that the Notorious is the favorite to triumph in their upcoming highly-anticipated bout. However, few can argue that The Diamond hasn’t learned from his defeat to the Irishman back in September 2014. So, let’s consider whether Poirier is being overlooked ahead of UFC 257.
Poirier’s Record Showcases Undeniable Improvements
Following his loss to McGregor as a featherweight, the five-foot-nine American has reinvented himself as a lightweight. After being stopped by the Irishman in the first round of their initial match-up, Poirier has only lost twice since then. At UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson in September 2016, Michael Johnson knocked out The Diamond, before the Louisiana-born fighter suffered a third-round submission loss at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242, as per his official fight record.
Although he’s yet to get his hands on the lightweight belt, the former 155-pound interim champion has got several notable wins over elite competitors. To date, Poirier has beaten Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez, who previously held the division’s title, as well as Dan Hooker, Justin Gaethje, and Max Holloway.
[#1 W145] 
[#3 W105] 
[#7 W105] 
