How Knocking Out Conor McGregor Changed Dustin Poirier’s Life
UFC veteran Dustin Poirier boasts one of the most impressive resumes, with 30 professional wins. The 37-year-old American fighter has headlined multiple UFC pay-per-views and has fought for titles. However, Poirier recently admitted to the one bout that made him a star overnight.
On The Joe Rogan Experience, Poirier surprisingly lauded UFC’s biggest draw and his archrival, Conor McGregor.
Although “The Notorious” and “The Diamond” are currently no longer on the best of terms, Poirier believes it was his second fight with the Irishman that changed his recognition forever.
Poirier and McGregor first fought in 2014, when “The Notorious” knocked him out in the second minute of the opening stanza.
After several years, the two ran it back at UFC 257, and this time it was “The Diamond” who secured a TKO win over McGregor.
The pair also met for a third time that same year at UFC 264. However, the bout ended in Round 1 after McGregor snapped his leg and lost by TKO.
During Dustin Poirier’s recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, reminiscing about the fight and the moment that made him a star overnight, he said:
“I fought 19 years, and until that Conor fight, that’s when things changed for me recognition-wise. The door opened for seminars, for appearances, and I had been in so many UFC main events, fought for the belt, done all this stuff, but that guy’s name.”
Check out Dustin Poirier’s comments below:
Dustin Poirier believes Conor McGregor is “Special” and “can put it all together and come back”
Despite the bad blood between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, the latter never fails to give credit to the Irishman for his achievements in the UFC.
Although the Louisiana native does not want to bury the hatchet with McGregor, he would love to see the Irishman return to the octagon and get his hand raised again. During a previous appearance on the Outta Pocket with RGIII podcast, “The Diamond” said:
“Look, I love to talk trash on Conor, but if anybody can put it all together and come back, if he can find that passion and that fire, and put it together, this guy can. I’m not saying anybody, but this guy can. He’s special. He has something special, but only he knows when he looks in the mirror if he can really do it again. But if he believes it, I believe he could.”
Check out Dustin Poirier’s comments below:
McGregor, who has not fought for nearly 4 years, is itching to return to the cage. He previously wanted to fight on June 14 at the White House, but his name is absent from the bout list.
Now sources suggest that the former UFC double champion will fight on the International Fight Week card in July. The 37-year-old is back in the gym, is the most tested fighter in 2026, and is doing everything it takes to return with a bang.
