Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have come to terms on a deal to book the lightweight fight for the upcoming UFC 257 card on Jan. 23.
On Tuesday afternoon, UFC President Dana White disputed the bout’s status to ESPN, saying McGregor had been sent a bout agreement but hadn’t signed it. White said the fight could take place “Jan. 23 on Fight Island, if everything goes according to plans.”
“There are a ton of if’s right now,” he added. “I have to see where the world is at in the next couple of months.”
McGregor appeared to confirm the bout on Tuesday evening, writing on Instagram:
“I am very grateful to be about to return and get to do what I love again. I look forward to the fresh test Dustin will bring since our first bout, while also showcasing my own incredibly deep cache of weaponry. … See you guys soon.”
Dustin Poirier will fight Conor McGregor at #UFC257 on January 23rd. (per @DamonMartin/@MMAFighting) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #Rematch #MainEvent pic.twitter.com/DG1pzi7Loa
— MaRCeL DoRFF 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) November 10, 2020
For Poirier this will not only serve as an opportunity to potentially earn another shot at UFC gold, but it will give him a chance to avenge a prior loss to McGregor from 2014.
On that night, while both fighters were competing at featherweight, McGregor finished Poirier at just 1:46 into the first round.
More than six years later, Poirier seeks to even up the series with McGregor after building himself into one of the top lightweights in the sport.
The fight between McGregor and Poirier will headline the UFC pay-per-view card in January with more bouts expected to be added in the coming weeks.
