Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier trilogy fight could be next, says Dana White after Irishman’s loss at UFC 257

A third bout against old rival Nate Diaz could also be on the cards

UFC president Dana White has hinted that Conor McGregor could fight Dustin Poirier for a third time after the Irishman was knocked out by ‘The Diamond’ in the second round of their rematch at UFC 257.

When the pair first fought each other in 2014 at featherweight, McGregor was the victor via first-round KO. But Poirier exacted his revenge on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, knocking ‘Notorious’ out cold in their lightweight main event on Saturday.

And White suggested that a trilogy bout could follow.

“I think Conor had a good first round, doing what Conor does, but Poirier did, too,” White said at the post-fight press conference.

“I think Poirier fought the way he needed to in the first round. Every time I did an interview, I had to talk about Dustin Poirier, because he was totally overlooked.”

White admitted he had not thought in depth about what is next for McGregor, who has now won just three of his last six UFC bouts, saying: “I don’t know, we’ll see. 

“I’m sure in a few hours he’ll be blowing me up, telling me a million things he wants to do. So we’ll see what he wants to do.

“There’s always a trilogy when you’ve got 1-1,” White said, with a potential third bout between McGregor and old rival Nate Diaz also likely to be on the table, with Diaz set to move down to 155lbs for his next contest.

“Tuesday is match-making, we’ll start figuring stuff out,” White added.

READ MORE: Khabib hints at next move after Poirier stuns McGregor

When asked about how McGregor will respond to the defeat, the first knockout loss of his professional MMA career, the American said: “I think it’ll make him hungry, I think it’ll make him hungrier. 

“There’s two ways this goes: hungrier or ‘I’m done.’

“He’s got the money. I’m a huge Rocky fan; this is like Rocky III. 

Poirier dropped McGregor with a hook before finishing him on the mat (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“When you get off a 310ft yacht, you’re living that good life, it’s tough to be a savage.

“On his way up, [McGregor] was a young, hungry kid. He didn’t have any money, and he wanted nice suits, nice cars, nice houses. 

“He’s got everything he ever wanted. It goes this way or that way.”

McGregor was interviewed in the Octagon following his defeat by Poirier, and said: “It’s hard to overcome inactivity,” referencing the fact that he had not competed since his 40-second victory over Donald Cerrone a year ago. 

“The leg kicks were good, my leg was dead. I just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be.

“Dustin’s some fighter. I have to dust it off and come back. I need activity. You don’t get away with being inactive in this business.

“I’ll take my licks. I’m gutted. It’s a tough one to swallow. I put in a lot of work. I’m gonna get home to my kids at the hotel and just chill for a bit.”