Poirier explains why he doesn’t like McGregor
Dustin Poirier: “He’s knocked guys out, but he’s more of a point-fighter. He wants to throw stuff and look pretty and be unorthodox and circle. He doesn’t want to fight.”
On Saturday UFC featherweight Dustin Poirier fights Conor “Notorious” McGregor, who brings a uniquely compelling personality to the endeavor.
“It’s like, man, are you serious? Who is this guy?” said Poirier to Chuck Mindenhall for MMA Fighting. “He’s fought a couple of guys, but I’ve fought a lot of guys, better guys. But you know what, it doesn’t matter. I know who I am, and everybody’s going to find out again.”
“They’ve given him a lot of hype and have been pushing him and all that, and I’m not sure if it’s because of him representing such a big market in Ireland or because they really might think they have something with this guy. But man, I’ve built where I’m at with my bare hands, you know? And I take pride in that. And when they do that to guys…I’ve been busting my ass to be where I’m at. I live this life.
“Then again, hey, that’s fighting, man. I get a chance to go out there and beat him. I’m not going to sit here and whine about it. I can’t change the fact that the UFC is doing that, or that they really like this guy. All I can do is prepare to whip his ass.”
“I don’t like the guy, I don’t like him as a person. I think he talks a big game, like he wants to fight, and that he wants to be in the dog fight. He talks like he’s that kind of person.
“But if you watch his footage I don’t think he is. He’s knocked guys out, but he’s more of a point-fighter. He wants to throw stuff and look pretty and be unorthodox and circle. He doesn’t want to fight. So I’m going to bring the fight to him. I’m going to stay in his face. I have ultimate confidence in my skills on the feet and on the ground, so I feel like I can finish him anywhere it goes. I’m just going to get in there and be the bully. He tries to bully guys [outside the cage]; we’ll see how he handles it when it happens to him [inside].”
“I have a long ways to go, but I’ve already been down a long path. This is my 29th mixed martial arts fight, and I’m 25 years old. I’m comfortable. It’s been such a journey of learning and honing your skills I feel like I’ve still got a long, long ways to go. Every fight, every camp I learn about myself and I get better. But every fight I get better. I try to work on the small things. At this level of fighting and where I’m at now, it comes down to timing. I think I’m going to be one of the best in the world. It’s just putting it all together.”
What say you UG? On the charge of Point Fighting in the Second Degree, is the defendant McGregor Guilty or Innocent?
