Poirier, McGregor agree trilogy fight–reports

Jan 23, 2021; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Conor McGregor of Ireland punches Dustin Poirier in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island. Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Poirier has signed on to face Conor McGregor in a third meeting between the two mixed martial arts rivals, US media reports said Friday.

Multiple reports said Poirier had agreed to face Irish star McGregor at UFC 264 on July 10.

The trilogy fight comes after American brawler Poirier demolished McGregor with a second-round technical knockout during their second meeting in January.

That one-sided bout followed McGregor’s first-round knockout victory over Poirier in their first meeting in 2014.

ESPN reported that the fight would be a five-round bout at 155 pounds — the same conditions for January’s rematch.

McGregor, 32, will be chasing his first victory since January 2020 while the 31-year-old Poirier (27 wins, five defeats) will be looking for a third consecutive victory.

McGregor had questioned his own future after January’s defeat in Abu Dhabi, when he left the venue using the help of a crutch.

The Irishman has been repeatedly linked to a boxing match against Filipino welterweight star Manny Pacquiao.

McGregor pocketed an estimated $30 million in 2017 after fighting Floyd Mayweather in a cross-combat bout in Las Vegas.