McGregor signs agreement for Poirier rematch, bout likely to take place in Abu Dhabi

Gulf Today, Report

Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor has signed an agreement for a rematch against American Dustin Poirier in January, according to his website The Mac Life www.themaclife.com on Thursday.

McGregor, who has not fought since knocking out American Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout in Las Vegas in January, previously held the featherweight and lightweight UFC titles.

The Irishman was stripped of the former and lost the latter to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired undefeated in October 2018.

“I am very grateful to be about to return and get to do what I love again,” McGregor is quoted as saying.

“I look forward to the fresh test Dustin will bring since our first bout, while also showcasing my own incredibly deep cache of weapons. Whatever tool is needed on the night will be pulled from the duffel.”

McGregor and Poirier clashed in December 2014, when the Irishman was beginning his meteoric rise, with McGregor winning by TKO after 1 minute 46 seconds of the first round.

UFC president Dana White recently dismissed speculation that the fight would be for the lightweight title left vacant by Khabib, saying he expects Dagestani to return for one more fight in the UFC.

McGregor and Poirier will reportedly fight at 155 pounds. The location of the fight has not been announced, but it’s expected to be at the UFC’s Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. BetMGM currently has McGregor as a -200 favorite with Poirier coming in at +200.

The acrimony between McGregor and Khabib notwithstanding, after the latter shocked the mixed-martial world with his shock retirement announcement, McGregor paid his respects to Khabib’s late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who passed away earlier this year. However, the former double champ also announced then that he will continue his fighting career.

“Good performance (Khabib Nurmagomedov). I will carry on. Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors,” Conor McGregor had written on Twitter.

Khabib and Conor had a heated rivalry back in 2018. What commenced with a dolly being thrown at a bus subsequently culminated into the biggest UFC pay-per-view of all time. The two met each other at UFC 229, where the Russian forced McGregor to submit in the fourth round.

There have been talks about a rematch between the two. However, Khabib has always been very dismissive about it.