#7 ranked P4P fighter in the UFC Dustin Poirier appeared recently on The Joe Rogan Experience, and discussed what it will take to make the trilogy with Conor McGregor.
Conor wants the trilogy, and I do too, said Poirier. If they want to do it, let’s do it. … We’re just trying to get the right deal structured. This is going to be a big fight. He knocked me out, I knocked him out. The trilogy. For sure one of the biggest fights this year, but maybe of all time.”
“I don’t directly talk to them. They talk to my manager, Rob Roveta. We try to put ourselves in the best position to sit at the table with them and have a legit conversation about getting this fight booked. We’re trying to structure the right deal, and when that happens, the fight will be on. Until then, we’ll see.
I think the trilogy makes a lot of sense and a lot of money. So we’re just trying to get the right deal structured and see what the timeframe is. For a guy like Conor, you want fans in there, even if it’s limited. Right now at the APEX where they’re set up in America, there’s obviously no fans. So where do you do that? And what’s the timeframe?
Poirier showed a hugely evolved game since their first fight in 2014, devastating McGregor with calf kicks, and “The Diamond” doesn’t believe “The Notorious” will have time to sufficiently up his own game.
It’s not a lot of time to adjust or work on what he needs to work on for the calf kick, or whatever I want to switch up,” argued Poirier. “Getting right back in camp without really evolving outside of training camp. For me, I learn things inside of training camp because it’s just constantly under pressure, but it’s outside of training camps, times like right now where I’m in the gym having fun rolling and doing light kickboxing drills with my friends, where I feel like the big gains are made. When I’m having fun.”
So does Poirier believe he has McGregor’s number?
It’s fighting, I don’t think you ever, really,” said Poirier. “He’ll make adjustments. It’ll be a completely different fight like the first one, and the second was different. The third one is going to be different, as well. Because I’m going to make adjustments, as well. I’ve got to switch it up and keeps things fresh and keep him guessing.
The trilogy fight appears likely, but UFC president Dana White says it won’t be for the title. Poirier was asked if it should be.
No,” replied Poirier. Conor’s been away so long. His last two fights at 155, he’s lost. So you can’t put him in there for a title fight. How could you justify doing that when you have guys like [Charles] Oliveira?
UG, what do you think, should a title be on the line?
h/t Dan Hiergesell for MMA Mania
