“If we see the third round, it’s Poirier’s fight,” Dan Hardy believes Conor McGregor needs to end Dustin within 2 rounds at UFC 264

“If we see the third round, it’s Poirier’s fight,” Dan Hardy believes Conor McGregor needs to end Dustin within 2 rounds at UFC 264

Dan Hardy on Conor McGregor

One of the biggest fights in the UFC’s history is coming up as Conor McGregor takes on Dustin Poirier for the third time at UFC 264. MMA expert, Dan Hardy gives his take on what’s in store for us at this big event.

Earlier today, former UFC fighter, MMA analyst, Dan Hardy broke down the in and out of the Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier trilogy fight that UFC 264 has in store for us. Hardy went on the Submission Radio to talk about the ecstatic event. Conor and Dustin first met at UFC 178 and then at UFC 257. Both the fighters have one win each leveling the series. The decider happens this weekend. Hardy believes that Dustin will look to take the fight to deep waters and then cruise in the final rounds.

“Yeah, I think so. And I think a big part will be the psychological hurdle for him [Conor McGregor], because, in those first ten minutes, that’s when Conor is most dangerous with his left hand… really, in the first five minutes. If Poirier can be cautious and stay away from that, as he did in the rematch, punish him when he comes in, right…?” said Hardy on the show.

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Dan Hardy gives his final predictions for Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3

UFC 264
Poirier vs McGregor 3

Though Hardy believes that McGregor might get the win this time, he still has a few predictions and how the fight could go down. We all know how dangerous Conor’s left hand is when the gas in his tank is full, which is the first two rounds. His striking is even more perfect and dangerous in the first few minutes of the fight. Hardy believes that if Dustin can play cool for two rounds then the fight is his for the taking.

“I think the longer this fight goes, the better it looks for Dustin. And I think if he’s smart in those first two rounds and just allows McGregor to work and maybe to punch himself out a bit, as soon as he walks out of the corner for the third round, he’s going to feel like this fight is practically in the back because this is where he comes into his own. I think, if we see the third round, it’s Poirier’s fight,” Hardy predicts.

https://youtu.be/H-sSunyqMjo

Also read: Dustin Poirier’s wife: Who is Jolie Poirier and how did she meet the UFC 264 superstar?