One of Conor McGregor 's biggest rivals , Dustin Poirier, took advantage of the outcome of UFC 329 to taunt the Irishman. Last Saturday (11), in Las Vegas (USA), 'Notorious' returned to the octagon after more than five years away, but ended up suffering a serious knee injury during the main fight against Max Holloway.
Despite no longer competing in MMA, 'The Diamond' continues to closely follow events involving McGregor. The two built a rivalry that spanned more than a decade, marked by three fights, intense provocations outside the octagon, and moments that helped define both of their careers. Therefore, the American didn't miss the opportunity to comment on his old rival's setback.
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“This injury couldn’t have happened to a better person. This guy is a bastard. He told me fight week that karma is a mirror, and it really is,” Poirier stated during an appearance on the UFC On Paramount program 'Deep Waters'.
The statement from the former interim lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) refers to the provocations made by McGregor before UFC 329. During the week of the event, the Irishman again provoked the former athlete and stated that "karma is a mirror" to 'Smash Cast Media', in reference to the American's recent arrest. After the serious injury suffered in the fight against Max Holloway , Poirier used the same phrase to mock his rival.
The rivalry between the two is among the most intense for 'Notorious' in the UFC. While the former fighter took the opportunity to take a jab at his old rival, McGregor intends to return to the octagon after his recovery. The two-time champion posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) stating that he will go through the entire rehabilitation process and assured that his journey in the UFC is not yet over.
What was the rivalry between Conor and Poirier like?
Poirier retires from MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/dustinpoirier
The first chapter took place in September 2014, at UFC 178, when both were still competing in the featherweight division (up to 65,7 kg). At the time, McGregor was emerging as the organization's great prospect and provoked Poirier throughout the promotion of the fight. Inside the octagon, the Irishman confirmed his status as favorite by knocking out the American with a left cross after only 1 minute and 46 seconds of the first round.
The two only crossed paths again more than six years later, at UFC 257 in January 2021. This time, the atmosphere was completely different; the double champion adopted a respectful stance during fight week. However, 'The Diamond' got his revenge inside the octagon. After punishing his rival's leg with low kicks, the Louisiana native secured a technical knockout in the second round, evening the rivalry.
The defeat made the confrontation even more personal. To promote the trilogy, held at UFC 264 in July 2021, 'Notorious' abandoned his cordial discourse and returned to provocations, even involving the American's family in the insults. The fight was intense, but ended dramatically: in the final seconds of the first round, McGregor suffered a serious leg fracture when he put his body weight on it during an exchange of blows.
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