As Conor McGregor looks to return to the Octagon, legends have revealed his scary 60-second prediction may not tell the whole story.
In the past two years, the UFC’s biggest drawcard has fought for just 40 seconds but is still one of the most talked about athletes on the planet.
Yet as Conor McGregor prepares to return to the Octagon against Dustin Poirier to headline UFC 257, most of the world is unsure what they will get when he steps through the ropes.
Watch Poirier v McGregor at UFC 257 live on Main Event on Foxtel and Kayo. Sunday 24 January at 2pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
The usually boisterous and controversial McGregor has been fairly calm by his standards.
Even ESPN UFC expert Ariel Helwani, who had a long interview with the former double-weight champion during the week, said he wasn’t sure who he’d get for the chat.
He thought he’d get an “irritated” McGregor after being forced to sit on the sidelines for a year but he was shocked by what he got.
“What I got was a relaxed McGregor. A slouched McGregor, void of his familiar perfect posture. He was wearing a new custom suit — with slippers. His kids were running around. His fiancee nearby,” Helwani wrote.
Sure, there was some baiting of Khabib Nurmagomedov as the price for the winner could be a match-up with the Dagestani legend.
He also said he’d end Poirier in under 60 seconds.
“I like Dustin,” McGregor said in a clip from UFC 257 Countdown. “I think he’s a good fighter. He’s even a great fighter. But great is still levels below me. I’ll knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds.”
He has repeated the comments in several other interviews though has said he wants a war to spend time in the Octagon after such a long wait.
“I know he (Poirier) is hoping it’s a war and to drag that war back and forth – I’m actually excited about that also,” he told ESPN.
“I wouldn’t be against that, I would actually love that and relish a war with Dustin.
“So if he can withstand the shots and get a pop then let’s get it going. Let’s stand in there and let’s fight. I just foresee my shots landing early and that’s it.”
But UFC legend Georges St Pierre and Aussie featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski believe McGregor is glossing over the truth, and will actually want to finish it early out of necessity.
St Pierre believes McGregor will go for the KO from the outset.
“He will need to start the fight with a lot of pressure, like he always does when he wins. Use all his creativity. All his kicks,” St Pierre said.
“Even talk to his opponent and try and bait Dustin into throwing his jab so that he can come up over the top with his favourite weapon, his left hand.
“That is his bread and butter right there guys. His left hand. He can throw with a lot of power and he is very accurate with it.”
He added that Poirier’s best chance is to feint and get McGregor to use his power early.
“Then maybe try to wrestle him, to create scrambles. He has a very good guillotine. His best chance to win I believe will be in the later rounds,” he added.
Volkanovski told WWOS that history has shown McGregor can tire as the fight goes on.
“Khabib, Nate Diaz — they both did great jobs (beating McGregor),” Volkanovski said.
“Diaz was able to weather the storm and you saw Conor McGregor slow down as the rounds go. It’s a fact now, you know what I mean?
“He’s very fast twitched and it’s very hard for someone like that to last five rounds especially when you’re pulling the trigger and being explosive the whole way through.
“I guarantee you that’s what Poirier wants to do, but is he going to get the chance when Conor gets in his face? We might see him panic and get caught.”
WHEN WILL IT START? HOW TO WATCH?
UFC 257 will start at 10.30am AEDT with early prelims, before the prelims start at 12pm AEDT.
The main card will begin at 2pm AEDT.
The preliminary fights will be available on Kayo Sports and ESPN on Fox Sports from 11am.
Watch UFC action with ESPN on KAYO. Stream full Fight Night events live plus prelim fights for PPV events. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly
The main card will be available exclusively on Main Event in Australia — which can be purchased through Kayo for $54.95.
Watch Poirier v McGregor at UFC 257 live on Main Event on Foxtel and Kayo. Sunday 24 January at 2pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
UFC 257 FULL CARD
MAIN CARD
Dustin Poirier V Conor McGregor
Dan Hooker V Michael Chandler
Jessica Eye V Joanne Calderwood
Matt Frevola V Ottman Azaitar
Marina Rodriguez V Amanda Ribas
PRELIMS
Arman Tsarukyan V Nasrat Haqparast
Brad Tavares V Antonio Carlos Junior
Julianna Peña V Sara McMann
Khalil Rountree Jr V Marcin Prachnio
EARLY PRELIMS
Andrew Sanchez V Makhmud Muradov
Nik Lentz V Movsar Evloev
Amir Albazi V Zhalgas Zhumagulov
TALE OF THE TAPE
CONOR MCGREGOR
Age: 32
From: Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Height: 175cm
Reach: 188cm
Stance: Southpaw
Last fight: Win Vs Donald Cerrone, TKO (head kick and punches), round 1, 0.40
Record: 26 fights, 22 wins (19 KO), 4 losses
DUSTIN POIRIER
Age: 32
From: Coconut Creek, Florida, USA
Height: 175cm
Reach: 183cm
Stance: Southpaw
Last fight: Win Vs Dan Hooker, unanimous decision (48–47, 48–47, 48–46)
Record: 33 fights, 26 wins (12 KO), 6 losses, 1 no contest
