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There are interesting UFC rivalries, and then there's whatever is going on between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
Three fights down the line, the two UFC stars aren't any closer to making peace than they were when they were up-and-coming prospects in the featherweight division. In fact, McGregor and Poirier seem to hate each other even more after the trilogy, which ended in dubious circumstances.
Both men have expressed an interest in a fourth fight to put the unresolved differences between them to rest. However, here are five reasons why Conor McGregor's next opponent in the UFC will not be Dustin Poirier.
#5 No rivals have ever fought four times in the UFC, and four might be too many even for Conor McGregor
There have been many interesting trilogy fights in the UFC, but no rivals have met four times in the octagon. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva and Andrei Arlovski vs Tim Sylvia happened four times each, but all four were not in the same promotion.
The UFC has had incredible trilogies like Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier, Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard, Georges St-Pierre vs Matt Hughes, Randy Couture vs Chuck Liddell, Cain Velasquez vs Junior dos Santos - the list goes on. But does it make sense to have two men fight four times?
Yes, the trilogy between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier left a sour taste in the mouth because of how it ended. Yes, neither the fighters nor Dana White have dismissed the idea of a fourth fight. Yes, each fight is different. But surely four is one too many, especially when none of the three ended in a draw or a no-contest.
#4 Dustin Poirier doesn't have much to prove against Conor McGregor
When Dustin Poirier lost to Conor McGregor at UFC 178 in September 2014 at featherweight, he was a UFC newbie trying to make a name for himself in the promotion. 'The Diamond' has since moved up to lightweight, realizing just how compromised he was at 145 lbs, and has become one of the best in the division.
In fact, Poirier is easily one of the best lightweights in MMA history. Now, after becoming the first man to knock McGregor out at UFC 257 and following it up with a first-round mauling of the Irishman that two judges scored a 10-8, does Poirier have anything to prove?
It would be foolish to say that McGregor couldn't have made a comeback in the trilogy, but Poirier was firmly in control. And the American is the one who usually gets more dangerous as the fight wears on, while 'The Notorious' is known for gassing rather early.
Poirier might want to stand up against all the insults he has been on the receiving end of, but is there any doubt as to who the better fighter is right now?
#3 Conor McGregor might need a step down in competition
After losing two fights in a row for the first time in his professional MMA career, Conor McGregor might need a step down in competition. He has only one win at lightweight, which came against Eddie Alvarez back in November 2016.
It might be wise for McGregor to seek out a tune-up fight after he heals from his broken leg, like he did with Donald Cerrone once he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov. With his star power and pull, it wouldn't be hard for him to sell out a stadium on any PPV card, irrespective of who he's pitted against.
McGregor is a top fighter, but will he be the same after the injury? We've seen serious injuries like his destroy the careers of many fighters, with the most notable example being Anderson Silva following his devastating second loss to Chris Weidman.
McGregor probably shouldn't engage with a fighter firmly in his prime like Poirier on his UFC return.
#2 Both Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have other interesting fights lined up
In the early days of the UFC, when fighting under multiple banners was common and the total roster strength was far less than today, fighters would frequently face off against each other. But now, when the UFC has more contracted fighters than ever, is there a real need for Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier to meet again?
Both McGregor and Poirier have interesting fights lined up. 'The Diamond' is at the very top of the lightweight division and is slated to go up against champion Charles Oliveira in December. He also has exciting matchups against top-five opponents like Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler and Islam Makhachev on the horizon.
Meanwhile, McGregor always has the possibility of a Nate Diaz trilogy to fall back on. 'The Notorious' could essentially pick and choose any opponent he wants across three divisions, unless, of course, the said opponent is firmly in the title picture.
#1 Conor McGregor won't deserve a title shot if Dustin Poirier beats Charles Oliveira
Speaking of fights lined up, Dustin Poirier will get his second shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight title when he takes on Charles Oliveira later this year. Although he fell short in his first attempt, the 32-year-old might be the favorite to displace the Brazilian from the throne.
Should Poirier clinch the strap, it would become next to impossible for Conor McGregor to return against the American. McGregor is on a two-fight losing streak and is 1-3 at lightweight, while other deserving contenders are on the rise. Even a man of his stardom will not be able to talk his way into a championship fight.
Even if Poirier falls short of Oliveira, a fight against McGregor wouldn't make sense. The former champ-champ is barely hanging onto a top-ten spot in the rankings, and his expected spell of inactivity will only push him down further.
Fans wouldn't complain if they got to see Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor 4 one day. But it just doesn't seem like it'll happen when 'The Notorious' recovers and returns to the UFC.
