In 2014, two paths were to cross that would change the sport of MMA forever. A young Conor McGregor, known at the time for his brash talk and devastating knockout power, was about to face his toughest opponent up to that point in his career. His test was Dustin Poirier, a ranked featherweight that had proven himself by beating notable contenders and finishing fights by stoppage consistently. The test would determine the standing of McGregor, as either a good fighter or a potential title challenger.
As the fight approached, McGregor made some shocking comments, including a prediction that he would knock out Poirier in the first round. Known for making solid predictions, it was possible for the featherweight, but surely that was too much.
McGregor destroyed Poirier, knocking him out in the first round of their fight. He went on to become the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold two UFC titles (featherweight and lightweight). This past weekend, the rematch took place between the now-superstar McGregor, and the seasoned Poirier. While McGregor went on to break records and achieve great financial success, Poirier remained steadfast in his journey. He moved to lightweight, as McGregor did, and fought for years as a top contender. The Poirier that showed up on Saturday was not the Poirier of old.
In shocking fashion, Poirier knocked out McGregor, achieving his redemption. The second round KO marks the first defeat by KO or TKO (technical knockout) in McGregor’s career. It was the biggest victory of Poirier’s career, only rivaled by his Lightweight Interim Championship victory over Max Holloway. Dustin Poirier might not be the pay-per-view draw that McGregor is, but he showed how and why it is important to never give up.
