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Ultimate Fighting Championship
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts

UFC: Dustin Poirier says Donald Cerrone doesn’t deserve Conor McGregor – ‘rematch makes sense’

  • Poirier, who lost to McGregor in 2014, thinks ‘Cowboy’ is on ‘the back end of his career’ after losses in last two fights
  • ‘The Diamond’ expects to return to the Octagon in April 2020 after hip surgery

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Dustin Poirier throws a punch at Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. Photo: AP
Andrew McNicol

Dustin Poirier thinks the UFC matchmakers are giving Conor McGregor an easy fight if they throw him in against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

McGregor (professional record 21-4) has not fought in MMA since losing to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018. The 31-year-old Irishman announced last month he would return to the Octagon on January 18.

Reports of a fight with UFC favourite Cerrone (36-13) ensued after he posted an Instagram photo of McGregor’s own Proper Twelve whiskey brand next to a bottle of Budweiser – a long-time sponsor of the 36-year-old American. UFC president Dana White also said he is targeting the fight, and McGregor’s manager told the Post talks are progressing.
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“I respect ‘Cowboy’ and everything he’s done but I do think he’s on the back end of his career,” Poirier told MMA Fighting. “Fight a guy who’s been KO’d or TKO’d twice in his past two fights. I’m not a matchmaker. I think me and [McGregor] makes more sense.”

Cerrone is on a two-fight losing streak having lost to Tony Ferguson via doctor’s stoppage in July and Justin Gaethje by first-round TKO in September.

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“It’s ‘Cowboy’ [so] he can show up and submit or knock out Conor as well. I’m not counting the guy out completely but I do think that is a more favourable fight for his return.”

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