The UFC doesn’t like to balk at the opportunity to book a grudge match in their featherweight division, based on the fight they booked at 145 pounds on Tuesday evening.
Perennial contender Dustin Poirier looks to derail the Conor McGregor hype train at UFC 178 on September 27. The event takes place in Las Vegas at a venue to be determined.
The UFC United Kingdom Twitter page unveiled the blockbuster matchup:
The bout is not unexpected though, as “Diamond” called out his Irish counterpart on Twitter moments after his TKO victory over Diego Brandao at UFC Fight Night 46 last week.
The callout was so quick that McGregor was able to accept the challenge during his post-fight interview.
Poirier went off on “The Notorious” during his appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour on Monday, saying he “runs his mouth too much” and the only people who think McGregor is any good are Irish “groupies.”
McGregor’s victory over Brandao was his third straight inside the Octagon, improving his overall win streak to 11 – though he is yet to battle a ranked opponent.
Poirier is currently enjoying a three-fight win streak and has won nine of his past 11 bouts. His only setbacks under the UFC banner came against top 5 featherweights Cub Swanson and Chan Sung Jung.
According to the UFC’s official rankings, Poirier is the No. 6 featherweight fighter in the world, while McGregor cracks the list at No. 10.
Will Poirier be able to shut McGregor up for good or will the outspoken Irish superstar prove the hype is real?