Dustin Poirier is confident in Conor McGregor should he return to the UFC octagon. McGregor had to pull out of UFC 303 in a scheduled main event against Michael Chandler.
Sighting a toe injury, McGregor was slated to fight for the first time in three years, since he fought Poirier. However, there’s currently no date set for him and Chandler to make up the fight.
However, Poirier, a long time rival of McGregor, thinks the former two-division champion will be dangerous if he comes back.
“So, you know, the original injury that took him out for long term was a broken shin bone and he had surgery, recovered from that, started prepping for a comeback fight,” Poirier said, via ESPN MMA. “And I believe what I’m hearing is, it’s a toe that got broken and I don’t know the extent of that to me, pinky toe getting broken. Maybe you don’t pull out of an international fight card week, but maybe ligaments got torn. Maybe he needs surgery, I don’t know the full in depth detail of the exact injury.
“So he could be back quick or if he needs surgery, we’ll see. Just looking at his career and the things he’s accomplished. The man has a strong mindset, if he commits himself to being the best he can, if his body allows him to be the best he can, I think he’s gonna come back strong. Do we see the vintage Conor? I’m not sure, but we’re going to see a very dangerous man who’s hungry for a win and who needs a win if he does come back.”
Chandler teased a new date for a fight, presumably against McGregor, on social media last earlier this week.
McGregor and Chandler were pitted against each other in The Ultimate Fighter last summer and the two were finally scheduled to fight in a welterweight (170 pounds) main event.
McGregor confirmed he suffered an undisclosed injury and had to pull out of the fight against Chandler.
“Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout,” McGregor wrote on Instagram. “I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time to heal than was available to me.
“The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team. My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there! Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”
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