Read more from Author Melissa Galbraith here: https://globelivemedia.com/author/melissa-galbraith/
The public accompanied every blow from Dustin Poirier to Conor McGregor in Abu Dhabi with a cry of surprise. The Irishman, who started as a favorite and was dominating, ended up knocked out in two rounds on his return to the activity (coming out of his third retirement). The Notorious noticed the lack of an octagon and the Diamond took advantage of that to connect two crochets that were the beginning of the end for him. With his comings and goings, the question was whether to continue. He was blunt: “Now I have to continue. I can’t stay with this feeling. I want to be active in this business again and be the best again “.
In everyone’s imagination was a resounding victory for McGregor and a public challenge to Khabib. Poirier could not be underestimated, who showed that he is in the prime of his career. Now, it is time, therefore, to rebuild roads. The option of fighting Nurmagomedov or doing it for the title vanishes, for now. The Irishman must take a previous step and the option that seems more interesting would be Nate Díaz. The trilogy (each one has won a fight) against the American would stop the world even if there was no belt at stake. In fact, before the duel with Poirier was signed, it was rumored. Díaz also lost in his last lawsuit (before Masvidal) and has played two fights since 2016. Similar situations that could give the winner a boost to the title.
That is the option that sounds the most right now, but for now everything is blocked by khabib. The Russian wanted to see what was happening in Abu Dhabi to decide whether to withdraw or not. He needed something to motivate him and certainly Poirier and Michael Chandler, who knocked out Dan Hooker in the first round on the night’s co-star, they made merits for it. If the Russian continues as champion and gives one of the two a chance, whoever gets off the hook could be seen with McGregor.
Meanwhile, if the belt is free, Poirier and Chandler could dispute it and Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje, who also deserve the opportunity, they could meet mcgregor (if there is no agreement with Díaz) to decide the next challenger. Conor is now not the A-side in the equation, it depends on how you want to solve for the x Khabib.