Register for FREE to read this article.

Already have an account?

You have article views left.
Register for FREE to read more articles.

Already have an account?

Remind me next time

After picking up a win apiece, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor can finally draw a line under their bitter rivalry on Sunday when they square off for a third time at UFC 264.

McGregor was just emerging as a star in the UFC when he blitzed Poirier to earn a first-round victory at UFC 178 in 2014.

The Irishman won gold as a Featherweight before also climbing to the top of the Lightweight division and becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously.

Poirier has never quite managed to hit those lofty heights, holding the interim-Lightweight belt briefly, but he has improved massively from that first meeting and displayed his quality when beating McGregor in January.

Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor Betting Odds

The first fight in their trilogy came at Featherweight but, much like their second contest, they will step into the Octagon as Lightweights on Sunday.

It's one of the deepest divisions in the UFC at present and is wide open after Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement in October.

Poirier is ranked #1, so it's no surprise to see him go off as the 5/6 favourite as he attempts to pick up a third successive victory.

His only defeat in nine came at the hands of undefeated Khabib in 2019, and there is absolutely no shame in that loss.

McGregor has lost two of his last three fights and can be backed at 1/1 to get back on the winning track at the T-Mobile Arena.

Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor h2h

It's all square between Poirier and McGregor after two previous contests, and there's certainly no love lost between the pair.

McGregor's victory came all the way back in 2014 at Featherweight, making just his fourth appearance in the UFC as he started to string together a winning streak that went on to stretch to seven with the company.

Poirier won the rematch in January 2021 when they stepped up to Lightweight, and they meet in that division once again this weekend.

Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor Prediction

Poirier to win - BET NOW

 

It's difficult to read too much into the first fight due to the amount of time that has passed and the change in weight class this time around.

Poirier looked like a rabbit in the headlights as McGregor sealed the win just one minute and 46 seconds into the first round.

January's bout offers much more of an insight as to how Sunday's contest might play out, and another Poirier win looks like the most likely outcome.

With his attention turned to matters outside of mixed martial arts, inactivity and a lack of focus appear to have hindered McGregor of late.

Meanwhile, Poirier has been laser-focused on the sport, which was the difference earlier this year as he came out with a clear game plan and executed it to perfection.

The American slowed his rival down with a series of heavy calf kicks before finishing off with the hands, and McGregor needs to find a way to defend those kicks this time around.

Fight to go the distance - NO - BET NOW

 

The chances of this fight going the full five rounds are extremely slim, and the judges aren't likely to be called upon for this card-topper.

McGregor has only gone the distance twice in his 27-fight career, winning on both occasions via decision, while just nine of Poirier's 34 fights have been decided by the judges.

The first meeting didn't even get out of the first round, and the second bout was stopped midway through the second.

Poirier vs McGregor Betting Tips

1. Poirier to win - BET NOW

2. Fight to go the distance - BET NOW

Sign up to Easyodds to use our odds comparison service for all your betting choices!

You can grab any new customer offer in our free bets section to place a wager on these fights. Thank you for reading and good luck betting today!

Get all the best UFC 261 odds at our extensive boxing & UFC betting centre