UFC fans can expect a “masterpiece” from Conor McGregor as the countdown to his blockbuster clash with Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi reaches fever pitch.
Mystic Mac will make his first UFC appearance in the Middle East at the new Etihad Arena on Sunday January 24.
He said: “It feels pretty good now to be back in front of the crowd. It might be a small crowd at the moment but it feels great.”
“I love the game, I love combat; I’m excited to go out there and compete with Dustin again,” added McGregor who beat Poirier by TKO in their first match in 2014.
“I have confidence in my ability. I have put in a tremendous amount of work. I want to finish him, but I’m hoping for a good long bout. I have a million shots. I look forward to getting out there and putting on a show for fans around the world.
“I’m in some shape, I’m coming to put on a masterpiece.”
Opponent Poirier is back in Abu Dhabi for the first time since losing the lightweight title fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019.
“It’s good to see us moving in the right direction having fans back. UFC and Abu Dhabi are doing great things, doing it safely. I’m excited to put on a show,” said Poirier.
“I know what a win over Conor McGregor means. Whoever wins on Sunday is fighting for gold.”
The winner will move on to fight for the UFC lightweight championship in his next bout, either against champion Khabib Nurmagomedov or another challenger for the vacant belt if Nurmagomedov stays retired.
Billed as the ‘the biggest UFC event of year’, the stacked card at UFC 257 also includes an intriguing co-main event clash between Dan Hooker and UFC debutant Michael Chandler.
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