The promotion on Monday released an extended promo video for the Jan. 23 rematch, which headlines the final fight card of the UFC’s third stint in Abu Dhabi.
UFC is BACK on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi in 12 days!!!!! I'm PUMPED#InAbuDhabi @visitabudhabi pic.twitter.com/A0SssIDfHD
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 4, 2021
The video explores McGregor and Poirier’s backstory, which goes back to 2014 when they clashed in a featherweight fight at UFC 178. McGregor won the fight via first-round TKO for his fourth straight UFC win. — danawhite (@danawhite) January 4, 2021
Poirier’s loss to McGregor was the catalyst for a major career turnaround. The Louisianan moved up to the lightweight division, where he went on a 5-0-1 tear that culminated in winning the interim lightweight title. A bid afterward to unify the belts against current champ Khabib Nurmagomedov ended in a submission loss.
After defeating Poirier, McGregor racked up another featherweight win before capturing the interim featherweight title against Chad Mendes. He then unified the belt by knocking out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds. Chasing UFC history, the Irish star moved up in weight, going 1-1 at welterweight against Nick Diaz before becoming the first two-division champ in the promotion’s history with a knockout of Eddie Alvarez. He was later stripped of both titles for inactivity.
The UFC 257 rematch marks McGregor’s first appearance in one year after a triumphant return at UFC 246, where he knocked out Donald Cerrone to rebound after a failed bid to recapture the lightweight title from Nurmagomedov.
With Nurmagomedov’s future hanging in the balance after a retirement announcement, the champion has predicted the winner of McGregor vs. Poirier 2 will crown a new title contender.
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