Dustin Poirier Revisits Trilogy Bouts with Conor McGregor Years After Their Last Fight

Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor first fought way back in 2014 at UFC 178.

Dustin Poirier Revisits Trilogy Bouts with Conor McGregor Years After Their Last Fight

Dustin Poirier talks about Conor McGregor trilogy (via Instagram, talkSport)

In Short
  • Dustin Poirier holds a 2-1 series win over Conor McGregor from their trilogy of fights.
  • Since their last bout in 2021, McGregor has not competed, while Poirier has remained active in the UFC.
  • Poirier is now retired but continues to engage with the sport as a commentator and analyst.

Dustin Poirier cemented his legacy as one of the most celebrated fighters in UFC history despite never winning undisputed gold. Much of that status was credited to his aggressive fighting style and durability in major bouts. However, a big part of both his early and later careers has remained tied to his trilogy with Conor McGregor. Years after their last meeting in 2021, Poirier recently revisited that rivalry.

The first fight of the trilogy between Poirier and McGregor began at UFC 178, where the Irishman secured a first-round TKO victory to go 1-0 up. The rivalry resumed at UFC 257, with Poirier leveling the score via second-round TKO after making key adjustments in his striking approach. Their third bout at UFC 264 ended with a doctor-stoppage TKO following McGregor’s leg injury, giving Poirier a 2-1 lead.

Since their last fight, McGregor has not competed in the Octagon, while Poirier remained active against top contenders and in title fights. He competed for the undisputed lightweight belt and also fought for the BMF belt. ‘The Diamond’ retired at UFC 318 after completing a trilogy with Max Holloway.

I got him with right hooks—one of my best shots, man. He dipped down into it as I was throwing it, so it connected perfectly. And he’s never been knocked out like that, so yeah. He was probably surprised, you know, he was down.

Dustin Poirier via UFC on Paramount

Rivalries in MMA often evolve over time, with fighters becoming more cordial and showing mutual respect. However, that pattern did not fully apply to McGregor and Poirier after their final bout. The Irishman went on a heated and expletive-filled rant aimed at Poirier and his family, and that animosity has lingered as the Louisiana native continues to undermine McGregor when reflecting on their rivalry.

McGregor has seen his standing and the belief fans once had in his activity decline in recent years. The Irish fighter has hinted at multiple returns, but none have materialized inside the Octagon. He was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 before pulling out on short notice due to a toe injury. Since then, McGregor has continued to signal comebacks, but they have yet to come to fruition.

Poirier is now settling into retirement, though he has acknowledged the difficulty of stepping away from the structure of an MMA training routine. He has stayed active through his roles as a commentator and analyst, maintaining a close connection to the sport. At the same time, McGregor’s presence has played a major role in shaping some of ‘The Diamond’s’ most defining moments.

Dustin Poirier talks about the experience of being choked out by Dagestani phenom

Dustin Poirier has spent an 18-year MMA career facing some of the most dangerous and elite opponents from around the world. However, very few have been able to completely dominate the Louisiana UFC veteran inside the cage. While he has suffered submission losses to fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, Poirier recently explained why Islam Makhachev poses an even greater threat.

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier at UFC 302
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 (via Bloody Elbow)

The main event between Makhachev and Poirier at UFC 302 saw the Dagestani champion impose his grappling-heavy style early, limiting his opponent’s striking through clinch work and takedown pressure. Poirier stayed competitive with counters and defense, but Makhachev’s control built over time before he secured a D’arce choke submission to retain his title. Poirier recently revisited this performance.

When he gets the grip locked in, it’s immediate blood shutdown. Usually you feel it slowly fading away. The darkness started to come in as soon as he got the grip.

Dustin Poirier via Powerful JRE

The bout against Dustin Poirier also showed a different side of Islam Makhachev, as the Dagestani champion demonstrated he is not limited to grappling dominance alone. While his control remained central, he also engaged in striking exchanges and showed he could stand and trade with a seasoned boxer like Poirier. The performance reinforced his well-rounded skill set and strengthened his status.

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