Conor McGregor to exact ‘revenge’ on Poirier by scoring ‘second round’ KO in UFC 264 trilogy, says MMA legend St-Pierre
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has tipped Conor McGregor to avenge his loss to Dustin Poirier via brutal knockout.
The promotion's poster boy will renew his rivalry with his old featherweight rival a week on Sunday in the main event of UFC 264 in Las Vegas.
McGregor, 32, was stopped in the second round of his January rematch with The Diamond, a favour St-Pierre reckons the Irishman will return in their Sin City series decider.
When asked to make his prediction for the fight, l: “I think McGregor is very good in rematches, and I think he’s going to have the victory.
“I think he’s probably going to win in the second round. A knockout.”
St-Pierre's legendary coach, Firas Zahabi, doesn't share the UFC Hall-of-famer's prediction for the much-anticipated trilogy match.
He said: “My official pick was 50-50 odds. I think it could go either way, but because GSP picked McGregor, I’ve got to pick Poirier. I’m gonna make a case for Poirier right now.
"At 155, McGregor’s power is maybe not exactly what it used to be, and he’s got to do five rounds.
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"I think Poirier showed in fight No 2 (that) he’s smart enough to take McGregor in the later rounds. In Round 1, he took a big left, and he took it well.
“I think psychologically Poirier’s a bit more ready to take that left hand. He’s more aware about it. I think this is an incredibly difficult fight.
"Fifty-fifty, but if Georges picked McGregor, I gotta pick Poirier.
"I think Poirier’s going to take him into Round 3, and he’s going to do the same thing he did before.
"He’s gonna kick the leg, he’s gonna injure McGregor a little bit in the leg, and then he’s gonna put the hands on him.
"It’s going to be a trench war, and Poirier’s gonna put him away.”
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Defeat to Poirier extended McGregor's winless run at lightweight to over four years - a streak the Irishman is determined to end in spectacular fashion.
The Notorious recently told Fox Sports: "I'm in great condition already.
"I beat him in the original bout [in 2014]. I lost in the rematch.
"And then we've got trilogy, I've got a few little adjustments to make.
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"I feel very, very confident. I'm very focused and driven.
"And I'll go in there and put on one hell of a performance and get it back on July 10."