5 UFC fighters that fans regretted betting on in 2021

#4. Dustin Poirier (UFC 269)

Dustin Poirier [Image Courtesy: @dustinpoirier on Instagram]

With two stoppage wins over former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor in 2021, Dustin Poirier was widely favored to become the lightweight champion at UFC 269. Despite being the champion, Charles Oliveira was surprisingly pegged as a +135 underdog ahead of his title clash with Dustin Poirier.

Over the past few years, 'The Diamond' has defeated some of the best lightweights on the planet and was expected to get his hand raised against 'Do Bronx' in the year-ending UFC pay-per-view. Although he beat Michael Chandler to become the champion at UFC 262, people still doubted the Brazilian's abilities because he almost got finished in the first round.

The fight with Poirier started in a similar manner, with the Louisianan landing the meatier strikes in the initial exchanges. He even scored a knockdown but failed to put Oliveira away. In the second round, Oliveira forced the fight to the ground and took control, bruising Poirier with vicious ground-and-pound strikes.

It didn't take Oliveira long to put away a visibly exhausted Poirier with a rear-naked choke submission early on in the third round.

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#3. Conor McGregor (UFC 257)

UFC 257: Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier

Conor McGregor was expected to take control of the lightweight division upon his much-awaited return to the octagon at UFC 257 in January earlier this year. The Irishman was set to fight a foe he had previously conquered in Dustin Poirier. McGregor said he was looking at the fight as preparation for a potential boxing match with Manny Pacquiao down the line.

The first time they fought one another, McGregor put Poirier to sleep in the first round. Despite having competed just once in three years heading into the rematch with Poirier, McGregor entered as an overwhelming -290 favorite to win.

While Conor McGregor remains one of the finest strikers in the UFC, what many failed to consider was the fact that Poirier had been exchanging leather with some of the most dangerous lightweights on the planet in the Irishman's absence. While McGregor was away, Poirier went to battle against the likes of Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker, coming out with his hand raised.

Apart from being taken down once, McGregor looked to be in control of the fight in the first round. He landed crisp strikes and found his opponent's chin with right uppercuts and straight lefts every now and then. However, Poirier chose to invest in leg kicks and chopped away at the Irishman's lead leg throughout the fight.

The leg kicks reaped rewards for Poirier in the second round as McGregor's mobility was visibly affected. Poirier smelled blood and turned on the heat, unleashing a barrage of strikes on the Irishman whose movement was severely compromised.

A right hook from Poirier shocked the world as McGregor fell to the canvas only to be struck by another lethal blow. The Irishman suffered the first knockout loss of his career.