Conor McGregor will be taking on Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 next weekend

Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3 is fast approaching and the predictions from all around the world have been coming in thick and fast.

Revenge will be on the Irishman’s mind when he takes on the ‘Diamond’ in a contest that will settle the pair’s rivalry.

McGregor gained the upper hand at UFC 178 back in September 2014. He beat Poirier via. first-round knockout.

Poirier then sought revenge at UFC 257, when he knocked out McGregor, handing the Irishman his first-ever knockout loss.

With legacy and a title contender fight at stake, the pair will be looking forward to asserting their authority, come the next weekend.

Artem Lobov picks his dear friend Conor McGregor over Dustin Poirier

In the wake of this, McGregor’s teammate and friend Artem Lobov gave his prediction for the trilogy bout. Speaking to BJPENN.com Lobov felt that his dear friend McGregor will come up trumps with a first round finish over Poirier.

Lobov also explained why he felt so:

“To be honest with you, if you look at the second fight, it was developing how the first fight went. That is what I expected. The only thing that made a difference where the leg kicks. It wasn’t like he wasn’t training to defend leg kicks, but those kicks are very unique. When you spar in training and you wear shin pads you don’t feel those kicks and you lift your leg to check.

Lobov continued:

“However, in the fight, that doesn’t work anymore. Conor is now aware of that and I see the fight going how it already was going and the way the first fight went and I see Conor stopping Dustin early in this fight, I see Conor stopping Dustin in the first round.” [via BJPENN.com]

Lobov was known for his time in the UFC. Despite having a poor track record, Lobov was known for his ability to absorb and eat massive punches and kicks.

He most recently plied his trade in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Although, he is not retired, he hasn’t found himself a new shelter yet.

It is worth noting that, it was Khabib Nurmagomedov’s altercation with Lobov that led to one of the nastiest rivalries (with Conor McGregor) in the history of mixed martial arts.

More UFC news

• Kamaru Usman shares just how he felt after wrapping UFC title around his father’s waist
• Kamaru Usman open to Middleweight move after UFC 261 but on one condition
• Chael Sonnen claims there is something wrong with Jon Jones after latest training videos

Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates