Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier Set the Stage for Epic Trilogy Fight at UFC 264
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier each had a victory against the other. It's now time to settle the score in a UFC 264 trilogy fight.
McGregor knocked out Poirier in 106 seconds in his fourth UFC bout in September 2014, launching a spectacular run that went all the way to two-division title triumph.
But, in their long-awaited rematch in January, Poirier turned the tables on the Irishman with a second-round TKO stoppage to even the score.
Now the two will square off for the third time, with both men eager to claim bragging rights and walk away from their trilogy as the winner.
The two will square off in a trilogy fight in the main event of UFC 264 Live Stream, which will take place in front of a sold-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And, in advance of the fight, the UFC has produced its first promotional film to generate excitement for the pair's third meeting.
The video included soundbites from Poirier and McGregor, as well as UFC president Dana White, as the three set the scene for the massive fight on July 10.
White remembered meeting McGregor for the first time in an old soundbite from earlier in his career.
"I went to Dublin a few years back, and everyone was raving about Conor McGregor," he added.
"And the second I saw this child, I thought, 'I don't know whether this kid can fight, but if he can even throw a punch, he's going to be a big celebrity.'"
That remark proved prophetic, as McGregor – who could definitely throw a punch – became the sport's biggest celebrity.
The Irishman's larger-than-life attitude, boisterous fans, and proclivity for predicting his victories made his bouts must-see TV as he progressed from promising prospect to genuine star to world champion in only two and a half years.
After just six bouts, he has already headlined two UFC Fight Night Events and a UFC pay-per-view event, the latter of which saw him earn the interim UFC featherweight championship against Chad Mendes at UFC 189.
Five months later, he elevated that belt to the undisputed championship when he starched Jose Aldo in 13 seconds in one of the most jaw-dropping moments in UFC history at UFC 194.
McGregor skyrocketed to heights of superstardom never before seen in the sport of mixed martial arts.
After a spectacular pair of welterweight bouts with Nate Diaz, McGregor became a two-division champion when he downed Eddie Alvarez five times on way to winning the UFC lightweight title at UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden.
That battle propelled McGregor to even greater fame, and he earned the largest payout of his fighting career when he traded the octagon for the boxing ring to face Floyd Mayweather.
His 10th-round TKO defeat cost him a loss in his professional boxing debut, but also ensured his financial future and cemented his position as one of the world's most recognizable sports figures.
McGregor, on the other hand, has failed to replicate his previous success in MMA since his comeback.
McGregor was submitted in the fourth round of his UFC lightweight championship battle against unbeaten Russian champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018.
He subsequently returned to action in January 2020, defeating UFC fan favorite Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in only 40 seconds at UFC 246 before the COVID-19 epidemic ended the Irishman's "McGregor Season" before it had ever started.
He subsequently faced Poirier for the second time in the main event of UFC 257, in a battle that many expected would push the winner into a fight for Khabib's vacant lightweight championship after Khabib's retirement.
Despite being the pre-fight favorite, Poirier triumphed, finishing the Irishman in the second round in Abu Dhabi and avenging his loss to the Dubliner six and a half years ago.
A championship opportunity seemed to be in Poirier's future, but "The Diamond" instead chose a trilogy fight with McGregor, and the two will now square off for the third time on July 10.
Poirier explains how we got to the trilogy bout in the fight's hype video.
"The first time I fought Conor, it was his first major test in the UFC," he said.
"He got into my mind because of where I was at the time. All that discussion and stuff throughout the months simply sat in my mind.
"When the bell sounded (at UFC 178), I was like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Even back then, he had a lot of buzz, but he didn't have that game-changing victory.
"And then there was a chance it was the one. After that, he simply began knocking people out.
"Isn't he done everything? But you may have all the money in the world, but you can't purchase heart. And I've got it.
"Every time I lose, I come back stronger. That's why, in my second bout with Conor, I knocked his a$$ out.
"Conor and I need to do this a third time.
"Both of them knocked each other out. We owe it to each other to go back in there and see what's going on.
McGregor also provided a short evaluation in the video, emphasizing his drive ahead of the fight.
"That night, I failed miserably. It hurt, and I need to get it back "he said.
"Now I have a chance to avenge myself."
Mike Tyson: Chris Eubank Jr has Experienced Jones Jr's Speed and Power Ahead of Exhibition Fight
Chris Eubank Jr knows the danger Roy Jones Jr holds, having felt his angry punches, and Mike Tyson may move toward his rebound enemy with alert.
Misleading grins are immediately supplanted by decided glares as Eubank Jr exchanges deafening punches with mentor Jones Jr in body fighting, a meeting which limits hits to around the belt line, however neither one of the men is keeping down in a harmful trial of sturdiness and accuracy.
Eubank Jr, the WBA 'interval' middleweight champion, has spent endless weeks at the central command of Jones Jr, an affected ranch in Pensacola where he has refined his all-activity style for a significant profit fight for US soil in the coming months.
Be that as it may, the Brit at times expect the function of 'Iron Mike' Tyson in competes with Jones Jr, who is preparing himself for an unforeseen return, a show fight with the as yet forcing heavyweight on November 28.
"He's certainly still got it. He's actually got the force, he's actually got the speed, so you must be cautious, that is without a doubt," says Eubank Jr who deferentially recognizes the flashing aptitudes that actually reignite in the clench hands of his mentor, a previous four-weight best on the planet.
Jones Jr has given his tutelage to Eubank Jr, the child of his previous adversary Chris Eubank Snr, as he smoothed off the edges of the energizing competitor in anticipation of the world title stage, a stage he knows superior to most.
In any case, hours close by Eubank Jr, practicing exact punches, have reset the ticking check in Jones Jr, who is savoring the commencement to his originally planned session for a very long time, but a feature for two legends as opposed to an unbridled fight.
"Man, with preparing these folks like Chris Eubank, they move me to get my brain moving," said Jones Jr. "They're so acceptable as of now, however you must take their brain to another level. You must take them some place they haven't been at this point, or you can't generally prepare them.
"At the point when they do it, they likewise stir me. Things that I overlooked, that I don't do any longer. It transforms me back into a superior boxer, since it caused me to recollect things that I did quite a long time ago."
Indeed, even at 51, Jones Jr actually has a muscle-bound build that is kept up by normal preparing, while Tyson's edge has as of late been etched once again into shape following a tempestuous way of life that had prompted over the top weight gain.
Eubank Jr has seen the devotion of his guide since taking the daring choice to move his life to Florida in an offer to pick up the information required for a normal fight with WBC middleweight ruler Jermall Charlo.
Be that as it may, what words would child give to father if Chris Sr looked for a re-visitation of the game, which had been considered in the past by the 54-year-old champion of two weight classes.
"Get fit as a fiddle, in case you will do it," said Eubank Jr. "That is the thing about Roy, is he's been carrying on with this life, he didn't stop.
"Most boxers once they resign, that is it. Roy has consistently been in the rec center, so it's simpler for him to then get once more into the swing of things, though folks like my dad, or Mike, who are not in the exercise center routinely. It's harder for them to get once again into it.
"My dad isn't in the rec center that way, so in the event that he planned to do it, be in the exercise center, save yourself in the rec center for a decent strong year before you begin doing anything insane."
Jones Jr knows the possibility of him swinging shots with Tyson is sufficiently shocking, conceding that he may be fundamentally lighter than a man who imparted dread all through the top division.
Boxers infrequently overlook their senses, especially a heartless finisher like Tyson vs Jones Jr Live Stream would not preclude the chance of him reacting with a knockout blow, if the limitations of a display are broken.
"At the point when it comes time to fight, we will fight. On the off chance that it comes down to nibble, we will chomp. Whatever needs to occur, will occur, that is exactly what it is.
"He's still Mike Tyson, he's as yet one of the most grounded, most hazardous individuals who ever contacted a boxing ring. All things considered, I committed an error going in with him. He's the greater person, he's the hazardous person.
"He will have all the first-round firecrackers, not me. I do have first-round firecrackers, however he's known for more first-round firecrackers than anyone to actually contact boxing, other than possibly George Foreman.
"With him having the first-round firecrackers, he'll be against a person littler than him, perhaps 40-50 pounds littler than him."
Most unsurprisingly, Jones Jr includes: "However who knows?"
Jones Jr set new physical limits, regardless of whether he was overpowering James Toney at super-middleweight with obscuring speed, or tearing a world heavyweight title from John Ruiz, yet in the long run discovered his impediments while enduring misfortunes in his propelling years.
In a couple of months, he will exhibit that residual ability against Tyson, at that point continue his preparation obligations with Eubank Jr, a willing understudy.
"That is the beneficial thing about Roy," said Eubank Jr. "He realizes how to educate and there is that regard.
"With Roy, I know 100% what he is stating is attempted and tried, and valid.
"At the point when he instructs me to accomplish something, I don't address it for a second, I get it done."
On the off chance that Jones Jr gets his direction, at that point he will deserve a smidgen more admiration from Tyson, after they have traded blows.
