Dustin Poirier Believes UFC Is Favoring Conor McGregor, Predicts Second Round Finish Over “Notorious” (Even In Dublin)
Following Irish star Conor McGregor’s first round stoppage of Diego Brandao at last Saturday’s (July 19, 2014) UFC Fight Night 46 from the O2 Arena in Dublin, Ireland, No. 6-ranked Dustin Poirier immediately volunteered his services for a fight with “Notorious” at September 27’s UFC 178.
“The Diamond” stopped by today’s The MMA Hour to discuss McGregor’s win, noting that it wasn’t that impressive because Brandao simply gave up, just like he did against Poirier at UFC 168:
“Brandao didn’t wanna fight me; didn’t wanna fight Conor. What did Brandao slip on a banana peel? It looked like he just went down and covered up. I thought Conor was eating a lot of from Brandao at first. I though Brandao touched him a lot.”
Poirier moved on to discuss his potential grudge match with show host Ariel Helwani, focusing on the belief that solid fundamentals will hand “Notorious” is first Octagon defeat:
“He does a lot of awkward stuff with his hands and his movement; he’s a little bit unpredictable, but I’m better. The basics will beat him; good boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, and I have all three.”
When asked if he thought McGregor’s weakness on the ground, Poirier cited the Irishman’s history of losing by submission:
“That very could be, he’s been submitted a couple times in his career. I think his losses are submissions, so you know, that’s where he’s lost fights before so you gotta think that might be his weakness.”
Undeterred by McGregor’s wild Irish faithful, Poirier also said he would go to Dublin to fight McGregor in his backyard:
“You know if that’s what they want, I would do it. Doesn’t matter, all those people don’t matter for me, they can’t fight for Conor. Whenever the lights and cameras start rolling and its time for the show to happen, it’s me and him.”
Talk moved on to Poirier vs. McGregor potentially being contested for the next 145-pound title shot. While Poirier said he’d like it to be, he’s realistic in that he knows it most likely shouldn’t be:
“Of course I would like it to be. But it shouldn’t be. He’s not on that level, he’s not on that talk, it shouldn’t be a No. 1 contender fight, but I would like it to be. “
When asked how much longer it would take McGregor to earn a title shot if he beat him, Poirier’s response was quick and to the point:
“There’s no getting around me man.”
In fact, a fight with McGregor isn’t even the bout Poirier is looking for. He actually wants a rematch with another one of “Notorious’s” name-calling victims:
“Cub. Cub Swanson. I would rather fight Cub on a full training camp. Sure I would rather that, because that does more for me than beating a guy who talked himself in the light. He’s a proven guy. “
Poirier lost to Swanson at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in early 2013, a bout he took on short notice. With Swanson looking for a title shot, however, Poirier may have to look elsewhere.
He pointed out that the UFC might be pushing McGregor too heavily because of his hype and heritage, speculating that “Notorious” would be fighting on the prelims if he were just another American fighter:
“He’s the pride of a country, man. If he was from California, he would be on the undercard; no one would know who he is probably. I definitely feel like they’re favoring him, but like I said, it’s a business, and they gotta make money, and he seems like he’s going to be a moneymaker for them. So if I can’t get a big fight with a Top 5 guy, my goal is to interrupt those plans and get that spotlight and beat him in front of everybody.”
Poirier closed out with an early prediction for his perceived match-up with McGregor, which of course included a finish:
“Second round. I could beat him everywhere. It’s definitely going to tarnish the shine he has going right now, people worship him like he’s a god or something man.”
“The Diamond” is motivated and ready to spoil McGregor’s plans to take the UFC 145-pound division by storm. Will Poirier put an end to his hype before it truly reaches a transcendent level?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports
