Perhaps MMA fans have just found out why the UFC was reluctant to make a match between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier official. Both men unofficially agreed to face each other on social media and even selected a venue for the bout to take place. The UFC stepped in and said they were willing to make the fight happen. However, now reports are saying that the organization is willing to kick Poirier to the side for Justin Gaethje, or another competitor.
Before the UFC had any say in the matchmaking process, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier agreed to fight each other for a second time. After UFC 253, Conor McGregor challenged Dustin Poirier to a charity exhibition MMA match on social media. Since then, Poirier has responded and welcomes the challenge to support his charity, The Good Fight. Originally, McGregor said that the fight should happen on December 12th in Ireland. Now, McGregor accepts to fight Poirier on the UFC’s terms on a future card on January 23rd.
Reports of Poirier Out vs McGregor
However, due to disputes over finances with the UFC, Poirier has yet to sign a deal. Which, was the same issue he faced in the process of fighting Tony Ferguson earlier in the year. Now, Ariel Helwani has reported that the UFC is willing to remove Poirier from the conversation in exchange for Justin Gaethje.
UFC real or not: Could McGregor open 2021 against Gaethje, instead of Poirier? https://t.co/FUqoFGcC8t
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) November 9, 2020
“He’s the reason the Tony Ferguson-Poirier fight didn’t happen on Oct. 24, and he might be the reason the McGregor-Poirier fight doesn’t happen on Jan. 23,” said Ariel. “That’s not to say he’s doing anything wrong, per se, rather, he’s just trying to get a deal that he’s comfortable with and the two sides are still apart. That’s the fight biz.
“The UFC has said it would be willing to replace Poirier with Gaethje (or even another fighter), sources say. Of course, for this to happen, McGregor would have to be on board, and I’m not sure if he is, to be honest. That’s because Gaethje is coming off a loss and because of things Gaethje has said about McGregor (specifically about McGregor as a father) in the past.”
Standing Ground
Poirier has stated in the past that he will not cut weight or fight for less money than he deserves. At the moment, it’s still very unclear on the contracts that the promotion is offering. But, one would think that a fight against Conor McGregor would warrant a massive payday. Especially in the main event fight.
