McGregor vs Poirier 2: the Road to the Rematch
When Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier met in the Octagon for the first time in September 2014, the two fighters were at a very different point in their careers compared to where they’re at now. McGregor has gone on to become the biggest star in the UFC history, to hold championship titles in featherweight and lightweight division, and to have a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. Poirier has also gone up in weight, held the interim lightweight title, and faced many of the same opponents as Conor. Both fighters lost twice since their first encounter. Both have had their ups and downs in the cage and outside of it. So now here we are 6 years and 21 combined MMA bouts later – with McGregor and Poirier scheduled for a rematch on January 23rd 2020 in Abu Dhabi. Let’s take a look at 10 moments along the way that brought us here:
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Thursday, December 31st 2026: Rizin FF Super Rizin 6: Shiwasu no Owarinagoya Gekokujo Matsuri | |||
 [#1 W105] Natalia Kuziutina |  [#4 W105] Saori Oshima | ||
|
| |||
| Last Fight Date: 9/10/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#18 W105] Rena Kubota Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 7/18/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#13 W105] Ye Ji Lee Last 5: L W L W W | ||
| Sunday, December 13th 2026: Deep - 135 Impact | |||
| [#3 SW] Sukai China | [#4 SW] Jo Arai | ||
|
| |||
| Last Fight Date: 5/04/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#6 SW] Sora Sugiyama Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 9/13/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#23 SW] Daichi Kitakata Last 5: L L W L W | ||
| Sunday, December 13th 2026: Deep Tokyo Impact 2026 6th Round | |||
| [#6 SW] Sora Sugiyama | [#10 SW] Goal Makino | ||
|
| |||
| Last Fight Date: 9/20/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [NR] Musashi Musashi Last 5: W W W L W | Last Fight Date: 9/06/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#42 SW] Toshiya Takashima Last 5: W W W W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#18 W125] |  Lucia Szabova | [#1 WW] | Islam Makhachev | |
| [#18 LW] |  Renato Carneiro | [#1 FW] |  Alexander Volkanovski | |
| [#13 LW] | Tom Nolan | [#26 WW] |  Jacobe Smith | |
| [#8 HW] | Josh Hokit | [#102 W125] | Tainara Lisboa | |
| [#1 LW] | Justin Gaethje | [#2 LW] |  Ilia Topuria |
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Magny (2021-01-20)
Welterweight (170)
[#7] Neil Magny (24-7-0, -140) vs. [#9] Michael Chiesa (17-4-0, +114)
Neil Magny is the All-Time #38 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Neil Magny (3-0-0)
2020-08-29: W vs. [#41WW] Robbie Lawler (28-15-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2020-06-06: W vs. [#14WW] Anthony Rocco Martin (17-6-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2020-03-07: W vs. [#16WW] Jingliang Li (18-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Michael Chiesa (3-0-0)
2020-01-25: W vs. [#5LW] Rafael dos Anjos (30-13-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2019-07-06: W vs. [#74WW] Diego Sanchez (30-13-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
2018-12-29: W vs. [#28WW] Carlos Condit (32-13-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 0:56 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Neil Magny | -140 | 55.52% | |
| Elo K170 | Neil Magny | 2163.12 | +116.38 | 62.99% |
| Elo Modified | Neil Magny | 2127.23 | +122.98 | 63.14% |
| Glicko-1 | Neil Magny | 2180.84 | +126.11 | 67.39% |
| WHR | Neil Magny | 1968.83 | +51.68 | 55.88% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Neil Magny 144, Michael Chiesa 361
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Michael Chiesa leads 2-1
.
Welterweight (170)
[#73] Warlley Alves (13-4-0, +182) vs. [#98] Mounir Lazzez (10-1-0, -227)
Last 3 Fights: Warlley Alves (1-2-0)
2019-11-16: L vs. [#51WW] Randy Brown (12-4-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 1:22 of round 2
2019-05-11: W vs. [#99MW] Sergio Moraes (14-7-1) via KO (Punch) in 4:13 of round 3
2018-08-25: L vs. [#26WW] James Krause (28-8-0) via TKO (Knee and Punches) in 2:28 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Mounir Lazzez (3-0-0)
2020-07-15: W vs. [#121WW] Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-3-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2020-02-07: W vs. [#611WW] Arber Murati (10-9-1) via TKO (Knees and Punches) in 0:59 of round 1
2019-10-18: W vs. [#270WW] Sasha Palatnikov (6-2-0) via TKO (Strikes) in 4:48 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Mounir Lazzez | -227 | 66.18% | |
| Elo K170 | Warlley Alves | 1672.54 | +50.12 | 55.70% |
| Elo Modified | Warlley Alves | 1671.03 | +7.29 | 50.80% |
| Glicko-1 | Warlley Alves | 1694.58 | +1.16 | 50.17% |
| WHR | Mounir Lazzez | 1653.77 | +2.60 | 50.30% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Warlley Alves 431, Mounir Lazzez 189
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#145] Isaac Villanueva (17-11-0, -139) vs. [*] Vinicius Moreira Castro (9-4-0, +114)
Last 3 Fights: Isaac Villanueva (1-2-0)
2020-08-22: L vs. [#133MW] Jordan Wright (11-1-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 1:31 of round 1
2020-05-13: L vs. [#61HW+] Chase Sherman (15-6-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbow) in 0:49 of round 2
2019-12-13: W vs. [#256LHW] Rashad Coulter (9-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:17 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Vinicius Moreira Castro (0-3-0)
2019-09-21: L vs. [#25LHW] Paul Craig (14-4-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:19 of round 1
2019-06-29: L vs. [#33MW] Eryk Anders (13-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:18 of round 1
2019-01-19: L vs. [#66LHW] Alonzo Menifield (9-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:56 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Isaac Villanueva | -139 | 55.44% | |
| Elo K170 | Vinicius Moreira Castro | 1303.55 | +15.98 | 51.82% |
| Elo Modified | Vinicius Moreira Castro | 1387.44 | +52.18 | 55.69% |
| Glicko-1 | Vinicius Moreira Castro | 1361.30 | +30.40 | 54.36% |
| WHR | Vinicius Moreira Castro | 1363.02 | +67.13 | 57.61% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Isaac Villanueva 151, Vinicius Moreira Castro 487
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Signs That a Fighter Has Good or Bad Wagering Value
MMA turns out to be a widely popular sports discipline. People interested in placing bets on this popular discipline should be familiar with all betting rules and fighter’s performance. There are many indicators that will actually show whether the fighter has good or bad betting value. To learn more about the theme, be sure to check this article.
General Rule in Fighting Discipline
In fact, many intelligent players are able to isolate certain betting scenarios. Successful players keep looking for good values when betting on the big matches, which is the key to success, especially in MMA.
Primarily, you should know that each fight is a story for itself. Fighters with certain traits tend to have better value than others. There are also obscure fighters, which can lead to high value. Some fighters reach the position, which is open for betting, which is a sign of good work. Considering that, you should also know that fighters don’t appear out of the blue and immediately win at the scene. You can check this website and notice, that the sportsbooks don’t have the option to wager on any player, the list contains only famous names and those, who have proven themselves worthy of the MMA betting industry.
Not only in fighting but also in other sports, participants are not able to appear at once and start making success. Pro players are just no able to compete so easily in wager-able events. They generally need to cross a certain path before being recognized in the gambling community and start appearing on the most famous sports websites all over the world. Keep Reading
Hotsuit and Everlast are teaming up for UFC 2021
The UFC fights are coming up and the UFC fighters are going to be wearing some of the best sauna suits you will see, all thanks to the collaboration between Hotsuit and Everlast.
If you are not familiar with the two brands, here is all the information you need!
Hotsuit is world renowned for using patented technologies in their sportswear. The use of technologies helps them create workout clothes that enhances the effects of exercise and improves the shaping results. Amongst other things, their sauna suits are known for being extremely comfortable and breathable, all the while helping people sweat more.
This time, they have found a new niche to target, i.e. MMA fighters. Hotsuit has designed a new genre of sauna suits specifically for professional fighters that will allow them to move with agility and double the adrenaline rush.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar (2021-01-16)
Featherweight (145)
[#2/#5DD] Max Holloway (21-6-0, -166) vs. [#5] Calvin Kattar (22-4-0, +137)
Max Holloway is the All-Time #2 ranked Featherweight and #15 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (1-2-0)
2020-07-11: L vs. [#1FW/#3DD/#5P4P] Alexander Volkanovski (22-1-0) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
2019-12-14: L vs. [#1FW/#3DD/#5P4P] Alexander Volkanovski (22-1-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
2019-07-27: W vs. [#5BW] Frankie Edgar (24-8-1) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Calvin Kattar (2-1-0)
2020-07-15: W vs. [#12FW] Dan Ige (14-3-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
2020-05-09: W vs. [#18FW] Jeremy Stephens (28-18-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 2:42 of round 2
2019-11-09: L vs. [#8FW] Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-1-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Max Holloway | -166 | 59.66% | |
| Elo K170 | Max Holloway | 2132.00 | +123.39 | 63.73% |
| Elo Modified | Max Holloway | 2153.01 | +188.83 | 69.57% |
| Glicko-1 | Max Holloway | 2258.75 | +234.27 | 79.39% |
| WHR | Max Holloway | 2061.61 | +176.56 | 69.14% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Max Holloway 189, Calvin Kattar 185
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 3 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Middleweight (185)
[#17] Omari Akhmedov (20-5-1, +124) vs. [#40] Tom Breese (12-2-0, -150)
Last 3 Fights: Omari Akhmedov (2-1-0)
2020-08-08: L vs. [#13MW] Chris Weidman (15-5-0) via UD (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
2019-12-14: W vs. [#18MW] Ian Heinisch (14-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2019-09-07: W vs. [#32MW] Zak Cummings (24-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Tom Breese (2-1-0)
2020-10-10: W vs. [#113MW] K.B. Bhullar (8-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:42 of round 1
2020-02-29: L vs. [#56LHW] Brendan Allen (15-4-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 4:47 of round 1
2018-05-27: W vs. [*] Daniel Kelly (13-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:33 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Tom Breese | -150 | 57.33% | |
| Elo K170 | Omari Akhmedov | 1841.39 | +131.46 | 64.58% |
| Elo Modified | Omari Akhmedov | 1843.73 | +77.49 | 58.40% |
| Glicko-1 | Omari Akhmedov | 1866.98 | +41.48 | 55.94% |
| WHR | Omari Akhmedov | 1780.45 | +50.79 | 55.78% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Omari Akhmedov 161, Tom Breese 98
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Welterweight (170)
[*] Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3-0, -285) vs. [#34] Jingliang Li (17-6-0, +228)
Last 3 Fights: Santiago Ponzinibbio (3-0-0)
2018-11-17: W vs. [#7WW] Neil Magny (24-7-0) via KO (Punch) in 2:36 of round 4
2017-12-16: W vs. [#33WW] Mike Perry (14-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-07-16: W vs. [*] Gunnar Nelson (17-5-1) via KO (Punches) in 1:22 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Jingliang Li (2-1-0)
2020-03-07: L vs. [#7WW] Neil Magny (24-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2019-08-31: W vs. [#26WW] Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (22-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:51 of round 3
2018-11-24: W vs. [#99WW] David Zawada (17-5-0) via KO (Kick to the Body) in 4:07 of round 3
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Santiago Ponzinibbio | -285 | 70.82% | |
| Elo K170 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 2127.97 | +322.60 | 81.37% |
| Elo Modified | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 2104.35 | +279.65 | 77.28% |
| Glicko-1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 2169.99 | +299.35 | 84.85% |
| WHR | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 2005.98 | +225.72 | 73.71% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Santiago Ponzinibbio 791, Jingliang Li 315
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Santiago Ponzinibbio leads 2-0
.
Keep Reading
Current MMA Rankings Updated (01-03-2021)
Notable Info
- Community adjustments made based on 2020 data.