Conor McGregor is ‘ready to roll’ for trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, says UFC chief Dana White

Conor McGregor is ‘ready to roll’ and wants trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, says UFC chief Dana White, who compares the Irishman’s comeback to blockbuster movie ‘Rocky III’

  • Dana White says Conor McGregor is ‘ready to roll’ for his trilogy fight with Poirier
  • The ‘Diamond’ got the better of McGregor, knocking him out in their rematch
  • White questioned the Irishman’s desire after he arrived at Fight Island on a yacht
  • But after being brought back down to earth, White says McGregor is raring to go
  • UFC supremo is even comparing McGregor’s comeback to the Rocky III movie

UFC president Dana White insists Conor McGregor is ‘ready to roll’ for a summer trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier.

The ‘Diamond’ secured a stunning second-round knock-out win over the Irishman at UFC 257 in January with a third bout on the cards following McGregor’s 2014 victory.

McGregor’s flat and unconvincing display saw him call for a rematch almost immediately, having not fought inside the octagon for a year before his second bout with Poirier.

Dana White says Conor McGregor (left) is ‘ready to roll’ for a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier

The UFC chief insists McGregor is raring to go and wants a rematch with Poirier this summer

The UFC chief insists McGregor is raring to go and wants a rematch with Poirier this summer

White questioned McGregor’s desire to fight after the multimillionaire’s flashy entrance to Fight Island in January, which saw him arrive in Abu Dhabi on a yacht.

But now with McGregor brought back down to earth, White insists the fighter’s attitude has changed and is being compared to the fictional movie character Rocky Balboa.

White told The Jim Rome Show: ‘Conor’s ready to roll. Conor wants to fight again.

‘He wants the rematch with Dustin Poirier, and he wants it as soon as possible. We’re working on it. Hopefully this summer.

The American secured stunning second-round knockout over McGregor at UFC 257 in January

The American secured stunning second-round knockout over McGregor at UFC 257 in January

‘I think the loss put him back into a really good place,’ White said. ‘It’s the classic “Rocky III”.

‘You’re pulling up to the fight in yachts and covered in Versace and you got all the money in the world, it’s hard to stay hungry.’

Poirier will go into their potential summer rematch as the heavy favourite after his dominant victory. 

However, the American insisted that will hold no bearing on the outcome of the next potential encounter. 

‘It’s fighting man, I don’t think you ever really (have someone’s number). He’ll make adjustments. It’ll be a completely different fight,’ Poirier told Joe Rogan on his podcast. 

The Irishman stayed on a massive yacht in Abu Dhabi prior to his UFC 257 defeat

The Irishman stayed on a massive yacht in Abu Dhabi prior to his UFC 257 defeat 

‘Like the first one and the second one were different, the third one is going to be different as well. I’m going to make adjustments as well. I’m going to switch it up, keep things fresh and keep him guessing.’

Although Poirier would want the trilogy for the belt, he claimed McGregor’s two consecutive defeats puts him out of contention from UFC for a title fight.

If they do end up having the trilogy, which seems likely, Poirier revealed he is hoping the fight happens sometime this summer. 

‘Conor’s been away so long. His last two fights he’s lost so you can’t put him in there for a title fight. How could you justify doing that when you have guys like (Charles) Oliveira?’

White is comparing McGregor's comeback to blockbuster movie Rocky III, featuring Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone (pictured)

White is comparing McGregor’s comeback to blockbuster movie Rocky III, featuring Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone (pictured)

Asked when he would like the fight to happen, Poirier said: ‘June, July. My wife’s birthday is coming up, we’re going to go somewhere for a couple of days,’ Poirier added.

‘If I get the call and it’s time to go to work, I will lock myself in training camp. But, I’m still not right now ready to go back to Florida a month removed from the last fight and lockdown for another ten weeks or whatever it is.

‘We’ll see. If they call, I will do it,’ Poirier said. ‘But, I’d rather it be a little bit further. Let me enjoy my life back home in Louisiana before I go right back out to Florida. I’ll do it anytime, I’ll do it here.’