Conor McGregor’s rematch with Dustin Poirier confirmed for UFC 257 as ‘The Notorious’ comes out of retirement again

After returning from retirement, fighting and then retiring again; Conor McGregor will be back in the Octagon in two months’ time after the UFC officially announced his rematch against Dustin Poirier on Monday.

The bout is set to take place on January 23, 2021 and will officially headline UFC 257. Rumours about this match-up were circulating as of last week.

McGregor knocked out Poirier way back in 2014, at UFC 148, on his rise to becoming a two-weight world champion, and the pair will now go toe-to-toe once again for a second time.

Speaking about his return, ‘The Notorious’, per The Mac Life, said: ‘I am very grateful to be about to return and get to do what I love again.

‘I look forward to the fresh test Dustin will bring since our first bout, while also showcasing my own incredibly deep cache of weaponry.

‘Whatever tool is needed on the night will be pulled from the duffel.

‘I am also really excited about aiding Dustin’s charity The Good Fight Foundation, which through the donation, will build a gym/premise for disadvantaged youth in his childhood hometown.

‘I truly love this, and pledge to match the donation on a premise in my own childhood hometown! Both spots with an ode to the upcoming bout.’

It is not yet known where UFC 257 will be held, though the UFC has held the majority of its recent events at UFC APEX in Las Vegas and on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

McGregor hasn’t competed since his devasting 40-second knockout victory over Donald Cerrone way back in January this year. However, a win against Poirier would put the Irishman back into contention for a shot at the title after Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his sudden retirement at UFC 254 following a successful title defence against Justin Gaethje last month.

And while McGregor had made retirement plans himself, the 32-year old began hinting at a comeback while expressing his frustration that the UFC hadn’t kept him as busy as he wanted.

McGregor and Poirier had plans to schedule the fight for mid-December, which would have been the latter’s second fight this year after a unanimous decision victory over Dan Hooker back in June. However, it is believed that UFC president Dana White pushed it back until January in the hope of allowing a number of fans into the arena to watch the spectacle.

White also dismissed any speculation that McGregor and Poirier would be fighting for a vacant title as he expects current champion Nurmagomedov to compete again and potentially, the winner of this fight.

By Jordan Hall