Conor McGregor Says Dustin Poirier Rematch “is On” For January 23

It may be too early to mark it down on your calendar just yet, but Conor McGregor’s announced he’s willing to fight Dustin Poirier on January 23rd, like the UFC had hoped.

McGregor says he accepts January 23rd date, following White’s comments

Not long ago, McGregor leaped into headlines when he challenged Poirier to fight, in a non-UFC, charity match, later this year. Poirier said he was on board with the idea, but then Dana White reported the UFC had sent the lightweights offers for a rematch.

McGregor responded by saying he would fight Poirier again, but only if the bout took place this year. On Wednesday, White spoke with ESPN, and the UFC President proceeded to say that a 2020 date wasn’t an option (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“We offered him a fight. We got him his own date,” White said Wednesday. “We didn’t have a date this year.

We have everything laid out for this year, with world champions fighting for titles. He wants to fight Dustin Poirier apparently, so we went to (broadcast partner) ESPN and got him his own date.

He’s been offered Dustin Poirier on Jan. 23. It’s a yes or no answer.”

“That’s not how it works,” White said. “We laid out this year. He was retired. Would anybody disagree he was retired?

Through this crazy pandemic year we’re going through, we faced a lot of challenges. There were a lot of things done to make this thing work.

We made it happen. We have our schedule laid out. Fighters have committed to it. Fighters have started training for these fights.”

Well, in light of the issues McGregor has had with the UFC this past year, regarding his next fight, chances are some folks saw these comments as a hurdle. But, since then, McGregor tweeted out this.

I accept, Jan 23rd is on!
My goal is to see this fight take place in Cowboy stadium. Proper Style! Jerry Jones is a friend and the stadium can hold our crowd. I will be ready for Texas and Texas will be ready for my fans!
Then Manny. #McGregorSportsandEntertainment

Will McGregor – Poirier 2 happen?

So, anytime you have to finalize a fight with one of the biggest names in combat sports, it can be tough sledding. But, there are certainly strong indications here this bout will actually happen.

At the end of the day, you can understand why McGregor was hoping to fight again in 2020. But, really, January 23rd isn’t that far off.

McGregor and Poirier fought for the first time in 2014, and McGregor won the fight via first-round, stoppage.