Dana White: Conor McGregor – Dustin Poirier 2 at 170 “Means Nothing”

Recently Conor McGregor’s coach turned heads throughout MMA, by relaying that the expected rematch between the star and Dustin Poirier is going to take place at welterweight. Well, more recently, UFC President Dana White has punted the idea the fight can be at 170 pounds.

White says McGregor – Poirier 2 at 170 “means nothing”

If you follow MMA news regularly, you know that it looks like McGregor and Poirier are going to fight again.

McGregor recently announced via social media that he’s willing to face Poirier on January 23rd, in line with the UFC’s plans. Poirier has also said he’s down to fight the former champ-champ on that date as well.

But, not long ago, McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh raised eyebrows by saying on social media that the Poirier rematch would be at 170 pounds.

That claim prompted lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov to say that if McGregor does fight Poirier at welterweight, then he’ll have no claim for a title shot at 155 pounds, if he wins.

Well, it looks like White’s thinking along those lines as well, as he recently told BT Sport this (quote via MMA Junkie).

“It’s 155 pounds,” White said. “I’m not putting on a friggin’ multi-million dollar fight at a catchweight that means nothing. … That fight means nothing at 170.”

“Neither one of those two are ranked at 170 pounds, and it doesn’t do anything in the ’55-pound division if either one of them win, because they’re fighting at 170. It literally makes no sense.”

Now, some people will point out that McGregor fought Donald Cerrone at welterweight, and after he won, White said the star could receive a title shot next.

But, that fight was put together on fairly short notice and Cerrone had fought at welterweight numerous times prior (further, there were plenty of people who argued that win shouldn’t deliver McGregor a title shot, weight class aside).

At the end of the day, in a sport where you typically fight in a weight class to earn a shot in said division, it’s hard to argue this fight shouldn’t be at 155. 

White believes bout will happen

Since McGregor’s public declaration that he’s down to fight Poirier on January 23rd, the fight has yet to be signed. But White seems to believe it will happen.

“Listen, Conor likes to play games. Conor plays games, and he does his thing,” White said. “One thing Conor doesn’t do? Conor doesn’t commit to a fight and then not fight. Conor fights…”

We shall see. If the fight does get signed, and soon, then the two would have over two months to prepare. 

In their first, 2014 clash, McGregor won the fight via first-round stoppage.