Five reasons to watch UFC 257, with the rematch between McGregor and Poirier

C. McGregor (left) and D. Poirier (right) make a serious face before the UFC 257.

After a year, Conor McGregor returns to headline the first card of a season. This Saturday (23), in Abu Dhabi, the Irish phenomenon will have the long-awaited rematch against Dustin poirier in a card that promises to take spectators' breath away. In total, 11 fights are scheduled for the show, which will feature three Brazilians.

Considered two of the main names in the history of lightweight (up to 70,3kg) in MMA, McGregor and Poirier will face each other with an eye on the category title. Today, the belt is carried by Khabib Nurmagomedov, recently retired from the sport, but who will be keeping an eye on this weekend's event.

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In addition to the Irishman's leading role alongside the North American, Ultimate fans will be able to watch the debut of the former Bellator champion, Michael chandler. Former owner of the belt Patrick Pitbull, the athlete will make his debut in the new organization and, right away, he will exchange forces against the dangerous Dan Hooker.

For the Brazilian public, yellow-green will have three representatives. On the main card, an important Tupiniquim clash for the strawweight division (up to 52,1kg). New sensation of the country, Amanda ribas will try to maintain 100% in the company against Marina Rodriguez, also promise for the future of the division.

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In the first half of the event, Antonio Shoe Guy he will be responsible for trying to lead Brazil to victories. The fighter has a fight against Brad Tavares.

To get in the mood, our team selected five reasons to follow the UFC 257. Check out:

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1) McGregor's new return

C. McGregor (photo) returns to the Octagon one year after brutalizing D. Cerrone. Photo: Reproduction / Instagram@UFC

Considered one of the greatest phenomena in the history of sport, Conor McGregor reached a level of popularity that would be difficult for any other competitor to beat in the short term. Controversial and with great technical ability, the athlete wrote his name in gold in MMA and, today, reaps the rewards.

This weekend, the fighter will make another return to the Octagon. After briefly announcing his retirement in 2020, due to disagreements with the UFC, the Irishman backtracked and is now ready to resume his prominent position within the company.

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While last year his fight took place at welterweight (up to 77kg), when he brutalized Donald Cerrone in less than a minute, this time, the 'Notório' returns to lightweight, where he was champion in 2016. To try to regain his old belt, the athlete must overcome an old acquaintance: Dustin poirier, whom he defeated in 2014, when he was still playing at featherweight (up to 65,7kg.).

Visibly calmer, Conor does not present himself for interviews as the sometimes out-of-control fighter who scared the press, Ultimate management and professional colleagues. More focused, the athlete promises a new show and guarantees to knock out his rival in just 60 seconds of confrontation.

2) Duel of former champions

C. McGregor (left) and D. Poirier (right) face each other in the UFC 257. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

In the first meeting between McGregor and Poirier, the athletes had not yet achieved stardom within the company. Still in the featherweight division, fighters lined up victims in an attempt to collide with José Aldo, former champion of the under-65,7kg group.

When he overcame Poirier, Conor needed two more fights to reach Aldo. When he reached the Brazilian, the Irishman shocked the world by taking the Manauara title in just 13 seconds. Almost a year later, the 'Notório' would make history and win his second consecutive belt, becoming the first name in the company to achieve such a feat. From then on, the fighter's name only grew, as did his bank account.

The defeat to Conor six years ago served as a fresh start for Dustin to rethink his career. Soon after losing to the Irishman, the North American decided to move up from lightweight and that was where the athlete found himself. After a small mishap to Michael Johnson, in 2016, 'Diamante' managed to add an undefeated series of five appearances.

The numbers meant that the athlete was chosen to face the then featherweight champion, Max Holloway, in the superfight for the interim title of the under-70,3kg group. In this ocasion, Khabib Nurmagomedov was suspended due to the fight caused after the historic battle against Conor himself, at UFC 229.

Against Max, Poirier proved to be a true warrior and beat the Hawaiian on points in a fight that marked the 2019 season. Poirier, however, ended up being unsuccessful in the title unification match and ended up being beaten by Khabib via submission in the UFC 242.

Now, still in the elite of the category, the two athletes continue to dream of the chance to once again have a title under their belt.

3) Bait for Khabib

K. Nurmagomedov retired at the age of 32, after the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC

Despite having already been defeated by Khabib, both Dustin and McGregor will have the opportunity to convince the current champion to come out of retirement. Out of the sport since October 2020, Nurmagomedov has remained adamant about the chance of returning to MMA.

Hope, however, is supported by a recent statement from Dana White, president of Ultimate. According to the boss, after meeting with his pupil, the Russian would be willing to return if he saw something spectacular between the four representatives of the last two fights of the tournament. UFC 257.

In this way, McGregor, Poirier, Michael chandler e Dan Hooker they have – literally – in their hands the opportunity to draw the attention of the Russian, who left the sport undefeated in 29 matches.

4) Michael Chandler debuts in the UFC

M. Chandler (right) is considered one of the biggest names in Bellator history. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Michaelchandler)

Considered one of the biggest names in Bellator history – behind only Patrick Pitbull -, Michael chandler will finally make his Ultimate debut. Legend of Ultimate's biggest competitor, the North American will test whether athletes from the two biggest organizations in the world are on the same level.

After having frustrated plans to debut against the feared Tony Ferguson, Dan Hooker was chosen for Chandler's first step into the octagon. Although he was an immediate reserve for the confrontation between Khabib and Justin gaethje, UFC 254, Michael ended up not being used and, almost three months later, he will make his debut.

If he surpasses Dan, Chandler will reach the elite of the category and will be one step away from the top 5. Today, Hooker is in sixth place. With a champion's history, Michael, if he has a gala performance, could 'jump the queue' and challenge Khabib, as it would be a different name for the Russian.

5) Brazilian squad

A. Ribas (left) and M. Rodriguez (right) have a Brazilian duel at UFC 257. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

In the fight that opens the main card, a confrontation that will divide Brazil. Great promises for the strawweight division (up to 52,1kg.), Amanda ribas e Marina Rodriguez they will be placed face to face and will need to give their all to take another step towards their dream title fight.

While Ribas is in a great phase, undefeated in four engagements with the UFC gloves, Rodriguez needs to recover from the defeat he suffered to Carla esparza in their last clash.

Currently, Marina occupies eighth place in the group led by Weili Zhang. Amanda, in turn, is close behind, in 10th.

First Brazilian to climb into the octagon of 'Ilha da Luta', Antonio Shoe Guy returns to the octagon and needs to win to avoid complications in the organization. Coming from two consecutive setbacks, the Paraíba native will face Brad Tavares, which also comes at a delicate moment, with two negative results.

The clash between the two will be held at middleweight (up to 83,9kg). If he wins, the Brazilian will get closer to returning to the group ranking.