Conor McGregor insists UFC 'needs' him after loss to Dustin Poirier

‘You NEED people like me’: Conor McGregor insists UFC is all the better for having him in the sport as doubts grow over his future following a third defeat in four fights after losing to Dustin Poirier in trilogy bout

  • Conor McGregor insists the UFC ‘needs’ him despite his defeat to Dustin Poirier
  • The Irishman fell to successive defeats for the first time ever on Sunday morning 
  • He broke his leg in a freak injury at the end of round one, with the fight stopped 
  • McGregor immediately insisted that his rivalry with Poirier is not yet over

Conor McGregor insists the UFC still ‘needs people like me’ following his defeat to Dustin Poirier in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

The Irishman was out to gain revenge on his rival, with one win apiece heading into UFC 264, but after sustaining considerable damage in an enthralling opening round, McGregor landed awkwardly after missing a punch, breaking his tibia bone in a freak injury. 

McGregor was unable to continue, with the fight called to a halt and Poirier awarded the victory. It’s the first time the 32-year-old has fallen to successive defeats during his decorated career, with many believing it’s going to be difficult to make a return.  

Conor McGregor (left) lost for a second fight running to Dustin Poirier (right) at UFC 264

McGregor broke his leg in the dying seconds of the first round of the dramatic bout

McGregor, who was bullish in his determination to respond after the defeat, clearly has intentions to return, however. 

The Irishman is set for surgery on his injury, as confirmed by Dana White, but has provided a message of intent on his Instagram, posting a picture of himself being stretchered out of the octagon with the caption: ‘You need people like me’. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRLtcwMJwyz/

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma)

Speaking in an interview in the immediate aftermath while he sat on the floor of the octagon with his leg in a brace, McGregor outlined his desire for a fourth fight with Poirier. 

‘I was boxing the bleeding head off him,’he said: ‘Usual sh*te, dived to close the distance. This is not over.

‘If i have to take this outside with him it’s all outside. I don’t give a bollocks.

‘There was no check,’ he responded when asked if Poirier’s defence of a leg kick cause the injury.

‘Your wife is in my DMs hey baby,’ he continued. Hit me back up we’ll catch you later on. We’ll be at the after party. The Wynn nightclub baby. You little hoe. F*** him.’ 

The war of words between McGregor and Poirier continued after the fight had been stopped

Poirier will now go on to face lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a thrilling contest

With the victory, White has confirmed that Poirier will go on to face lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, though also stating McGregor would get another chance against the American once he has recovered. 

‘It sucks, it’s brutal, it’s not the way you want to see fights end. Dustin Poirier will fight for the title and when Conor is healed and ready to go, you do the rematch, I guess,’ White told a news conference. 

It’s a sentiment also shared by Poirier, who left the possibility of another match-up open in his post-fight interview. 

‘I can take the trash talk but murder there is no coming back from that, there is no need for that,’ he said. ‘I want him to go home to his beautiful family.

‘He did hit me with a good cross like the last fight. Takedown was easy. He put his fingers in my gloves to the upkicks. This guy is a dirtbag, man.’ 

Indeed, should Poirier go on to take the lightweight strap from Oliveira, McGregor could actually be in line for a title shot in another encounter. 

But after three defeats from four, with others – including the likes of Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev ahead in the pecking order, on merit anyway, it remains to be seen whether he will be given another opportunity. 




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