The third encounter with Dustin Poirier will determine the martial arts career of UFC superstar Conor McGregor. After he was knocked out in the last cage fight, the Irishman has to win – otherwise there are hardly any options in terms of sport. This time he gets into the Octagon as an underdog.
Sponsored by “Proper 12” – this is how the major UFC events are advertised. At least whenever Conor McGregor is fighting. Because “Proper 12” is his whiskey. McGregor, the biggest name in the mixed martial arts scene, is also a businessman and his companies are closely linked to the UFC’s elite league. When the Irishman gets into the cage, a million dollar business begins for everyone. The box office will be right in the night from Saturday to Sunday, but this time there is more sporting than usual for the 32-year-old. After the defeat in January against Dustin Poirier, the renewed clash in Las Vegas on July 11 (4 a.m. / DAZN) at UFC 264 will be a kind of guide. In the event of a defeat, McGregor has to say goodbye to the title race in the lightweight class for the time being.
UFC boss Dana White has already promised the winner of the trilogy a title fight. And McGregor has this opportunity firmly in view. Champion Charles Oliveira is said to be the next victim after Poirier, whom he would have defeated for the second time after his knockout in 2014. “Oliveira is next,” McGregor told BT Sport. “We’ll be dancing with the Brazilians again and I’m looking forward to it,” continued Ire. An allusion to his title win against the Brazilian Jose Aldo in 2015.
But while Poirier would still remain in the narrower circle of contenders in the event of a defeat, McGregor would have to line up far behind. With Justin Gaethje, Beneil Dariush and Michael Chandler, strong fighters are already in front of him in the ranking. In addition, all three would not be an easy task if “The Notorious” wanted to earn another chance for a championship belt.
Finally before Cristiano Ronaldo
What McGregor would be after a defeat would be fights against well-known opponents who have already passed their zenith. Tony Ferguson or Nate Diaz, as opponents of the 32-year-old, would not only provide top-class verbal skirmishes, but also make the cash register ring. However, these fights would have no sporting effect – it would be a pure decision for the money.
But for the Irishman it shouldn’t be all about money anymore, one might think. McGregor was already the highest paid athlete in the world for the past twelve months. According to Forbes list He made $ 180 million, more than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Five years ago he joked with the Portuguese that his goal was to overtake the footballer in the ranking.
Most of McGregor’s income, however, comes from his whiskey brand. In April, he sold shares in the global liquor maker Proximo for $ 150 million. McGregor is no longer the majority owner, but remains the face of “Proper 12”, a project that he always describes as an affair of the heart. That too would stay with him after a defeat.
“Crazy Conor” is back
The fight is not lost in the run-up anyway. Before the third meeting, the bookmakers favor the American Poirier – albeit only slightly. McGregor is not used to the role of the underdog, and so – after verbally switching to cuddle mode before his last two fights – he is now back on a confrontational course. In an interview with BT Sport, he attested that Poirier had a fearful fighting style. However, the third meeting will not be personal. “It’s just a body that I have to dissect and tear up,” said McGregor.
At the press conference in Las Vegas, the Irishman followed suit and insulted his opponent several times. To the frenetic applause of hundreds of spectators, he celebrated his return to the big stage and the return to Sin City. When he then tried wildly to kick Poirier at the standoff, the show was perfect. The madman – “Crazy Conor” – was back.
No one in the sports world can sell it as well as McGregor, whether it’s his “Proper 12” whiskey or his next fight. The UFC 264 event has already cracked most of the pre-orders in terms of pay-per-views, and McGregor is again heading for a record. Accordingly, he goes to great lengths – but maybe also because he knows that it will be the last sporty ride and that after that, the show may only come first.
.