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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3118946/ufc-257-conor-mcgregor-donates-us500000 Mixed Martial Arts
UFC 257: Conor McGregor donates US$500,000 to Dustin Poirier’s Good Fight Foundation ahead of main event
- ‘The Diamond’ is also in a giving mood at Friday’s weigh-ins, handing Irishman a bottle of his own-brand Louisiana Style Hot Sauce
- ‘I look forward to bringing the hot sauce and the fire tomorrow,’ Conor McGregor says
Dustin Poirier (left) and Conor McGregor face off during the UFC 257 weigh-in at Etihad Arena. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Conor McGregor has lived up to his word and donated US$500,000 to Dustin Poirier’s Good Fight Foundation ahead of their blockbuster UFC 257 main event on Sunday.
No 2-ranked Poirier (26-6, one no contest) and No 4 McGregor (22-4) will rematch at lightweight on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, but the animosity that marred the build-up to their first bout at featherweight in 2014 has dissipated, with both paying plenty of respect to each other this week.
“I don’t want to make it seem like we’re up here giving each other back massages but Conor, I just want to clear the air – Conor’s team, McGregor Sport & Entertainment, did reach out to my foundation and they are starting the process toward that donation,” Poirier said at Thursday night’s press conference inside Etihad Arena.
“So Conor, man-to-man, you’re going to help a lot of people with that.”
MMA Junkie confirmed on Friday that McGregor Sports & Entertainment CEO Alan Geraghty has reached out to Poirier’s wife Jolie to begin transferring the former two-weight champ’s donation.
Poirier’s foundation has previously helped build water wells at orphanages in Uganda and other charitable initiatives, with “The Diamond” auctioning off fight gear to raise funds.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) also raised US$100,000 for the foundation by auctioning one of Poirier’s T-shirts he wore in the Octagon after submitting the American to retain his title in October 2019, with UFC president Dana White matching the donation.
“I believe it’s important for a man as he matures to recognise the situation and position he’s in that he put himself in,” Poirier, 32, added at the press conference. “To each his own.
“I’m not saying everybody should do it, but if you have it in your heart that you can be in a position to be a voice for people who’s voice isn’t heard and be a representative of something better, it transcends fighting. We’re all fighting something. It means something to me personally. I’m not sure about anybody else.”
Dustin Poirier poses on the scale.
Poirier was also in a giving mood at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins, whipping out a bottle of his own-brand Louisiana Style Hot Sauce after an intense stare down between Sunday’s main event duo.
“Ask and you shall receive,” Poirier told the Irishman, as McGregor laughed, having promised him a bottle at the press conference.
“It‘s great to be back here, I’ve got the Louisiana hot sauce. I look forward to bringing the hot sauce and the fire tomorrow,” McGregor, 32, told UFC commentator Jon Anik on stage at the Etihad Arena.
Conor McGregor gestures to the crowd.
“I’m waiting on that whiskey,” Poirier responded as “The Notorious” walked offstage, having likewise been promised a bottle of McGregor’s personal Proper No 12 brand.
“My whole career has aligned me for tomorrow night,” he added to Anik. “And I’m here to be victorious and get my hand raised by any means necessary. I’m leaving it all out there, let’s go.”