“Crippling and Painful” – Dustin Poirier believes Conor McGregor might use ‘calf kicks’ on him at UFC 264

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4 years ago

Conor McGregor posted a video of him kicking a post recently (Instagram)

Dustin Poirier’s calf kicks played a huge role in him winning the fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 257

Dustin Poirier exacted revenge against Conor McGregor at UFC 257. The pair met in a rematch after almost 7 years since their first fight at UFC 278 in September 2014.

McGregor knocked out Poirier in the very first round, in their first clash, where he famously called himself as ‘Mystic Mac’ at the post-fight interview.

Poirier came back a better version of himself at UFC 257, earlier this year. Despite McGregor having the better first round, Poirier kept inflicting significant blows with his brutal calf kicks.

(R-L) Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The calf kicks slowly began wearing out McGregor, as he started losing his mobility. The Irishman was then cornered close to the cage and finished off with a flurry of punches.

Now they are all set to face-off in a trilogy bout on the 10th of July at UFC 264.

In his latest interview with legendary Boxing trainer Teddy Atlas, Poirier predicted that McGregor might try to use the same calf kicks on him:

“He felt how crippling those kicks and how painful those kicks are and how much it changes the dynamic of a fight that I think he’s going to try and use them against me now. I really do.”

Dustin Poirier would go on to face Charles Oliveira if he beats Conor McGregor

Poirier had the best chance to win the vacant lightweight title. He was the number 1 ranked lightweight contender after beating McGregor at UFC 257.

However, Poirier wanted a legacy. He was offered both the McGregor fight and the vacant lightweight title fight; ‘The Diamond’ decided to go for the trilogy bout against McGregor.

Dustin Poirier reacts after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

People felt he might be taking a huge risk, but that didn’t deter Poirier from agreeing to the fight. If he beats McGregor at UFC 264, he will go on to challenge newly-crowned lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, for the title.

It is going to be a busy year for both McGregor and Poirier.