Conor McGregor accepts Dustin Poirier rematch, but 'it must happen in 2020'
What was once a proposed charity match outside the UFC appears to have turned into a legit UFC rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
Poirier tweeted at McGregor on Wednesday night, trying to get his attention about the status of their potential rematch. And did he ever get an answer.
Hello Dustin! I accepted the @ufc offer to fight you, but told them it must happen in 2020. I’m ready for Nov 21st, given that cards recent injury issues, as well as any of the December dates, the 12th and the 19th. I’ll also still donate the $500k to The Good Fight Foundation 🙏 https://t.co/23hN4AHtoI
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 8, 2020
McGregor tweeted that he accepted the UFC offer to fight Poirier, ending his four-month retirement that no one actually thought was real.
Poirier’s last fight was a unanimous decision victory over Dan Hooker in June. McGregor hasn’t fought since he defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January. Poirier and McGregor originally faced off on Sept. 27, 2014 at UFC 178. McGregor defeated Poirier in the first round via TKO.
McGregor wants to fight in 2020
McGregor was pretty insistent that the fight with Poirier happen before the end of 2020. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC offered him a fight date of Jan. 23, 2021 but he wanted it to be in 2020. He suggested Nov. 21, which is about six weeks away. He also suggested Dec. 12 (nine weeks away) or Dec. 19 (ten weeks away).
Helwani reported that McGregor is waiting to hear back from the UFC about next steps. According to MMAFighting.com, Poirier has also accepted the fight with McGregor and is waiting for the UFC to work out a deal with him.
Even though the fight is no longer for charity, McGregor said that he plans to donate $500,000 to Poirier’s charity, The Good Fight Foundation. Poirier was grateful, thanking McGregor on Twitter and describing what the money will be used for.
We'll get it worked out! Good man, We will use the donation to open a Boxing/MMA Academy on the side of town me and @dc_mma grew up were the tuition for the kids will be good grades.🙏 https://t.co/gfy7lMUBtp
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 8, 2020
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