Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier trilogy confirmed by Dana White with summer bout targeted

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UFC president Dana White has claimed that Conor McGregor’s proposed trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier will take place later this year. The Irishman was defeated when the pair met for a second time in January after securing a rapid knockout victory in their first fight back in 2014, meaning both men are tied at one win each.

McGregor announced his intention to face Poirier for a third and final time immediately after his defeat last month.

The 32-year-old entered the Octagon with high hopes of an early victory in order to set up a rematch with retired champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but saw his script ripped up in emphatic fashion.

Poirier inflicted heavy damage to McGregor’s legs with a number of devastating kicks before ending the bout in the second round with a swift flurry of unanswered punches.

It appears as if the two-time UFC champion’s wish of a third fight will be granted in the summer after White confirmed his plans to arrange an event in the near future.

“Well, when you have two guys that are in their positions – Dustin is the No. 1 ranked guy in the world, you got Conor who is ranked No. 6, and they want the trilogy – you got to go with the trilogy,” White told ESPN.

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“We’re probably going to try to put that fight together this summer.”

White continued, claiming that it would be ‘fun’ to see which fighter comes out on top under the pressure of deciding who will have the final say in their rivalry.

“If you look at Conor, if you look at the way he fought, the leg kicks that he was eating, the stance he was in, he was completely overlooking Dustin Poirier,” added White.

“I’m not taking anything away from Poirier, but when you pull in on a super yacht and you’re living the life that Conor lives, you need to be hungry, and you need to take every guy serious.

“It doesn’t matter how you beat Dustin Poirier the first time, that’s not the same guy you are going to be facing and obviously Dustin Poirier is training like it’s the most important fight of his life.

“There were a lot of things lined up there for the upset. I guess the good part is [for] the trilogy, McGregor is hungrier than he’s ever been, he wants this fight back, he wants this fight badly so it will be a fun third fight.”

Poirier established his position as the number one ranked lightweight, behind only champion Khabib, with his win over McGregor and has been vocal in calling for a shot at the title.

However, it appears as though White will not entertain the possibility of turning the pair’s trilogy into a championship fight as he is still optimistic of convincing Khabib to return to the Octagon.

If the third fight is not made for whatever reason, Poirier could potentially end up facing Nate Diaz, who has announced that he would be happy to test himself against ‘Diamond’ in his next outing.

“Now is the time for sure,” Diaz told The Sun when quizzed on a possible clash with Poirier.

“We should have fought a long time ago and now the stars are aligned. He just won the fight [with Conor] and that’s the fight.

“I’m ready for a fight, and the people are ready for the big fight. Now is the time.”

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