I thought Dustin Poirier could fight better in the rematch against Conor McGregor, but boy, I never expected a 2nd round stoppage.
But that’s how the world of mixed martial arts goes. One mistake is all it takes for your opponent to pounce on you. And only a few seconds of defenselessness is also all it takes for the referee to say he has seen enough.
THE FIGHT. It was pretty even first round. Both fighters exchanged jabs and Poirier landed a few leg kicks. Poirier scored a takedown which was defended well by McGregor as he was able to get up and even pin Dustin along the cage.
In the final minute both men scored on some exchanges and Poirier scored on another calf kick.
In the second round, Conor started fast, but Poirier continued his assault on the former’s front leg. At one point, Conor even caught Poirer’s leg and held it while defending against the leg kicks.
Conor continued the stand-up game and landed a couple of solid left hands, but Dustin would not relent on his vicious assault on his front leg.
Suddenly, Dustin was able to stun Conor with several hard shots. Conor retreated along the cage, but Dustin was on him like the Covid-19 virus on a mask-less moron.
An uppercut that landed flush knocked Conor down and a follow-up flurry against a helpless and hapless McGregor caused the ref to call for the denouement of the fight.
CONOR. One of my favorite fighters, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler once said it was difficult to get up in the morning and run your miles when you are sound asleep in silk pajamas—or words to that effect.
In my previous column I alluded to the fact that Conor has been in a long layoff (well, almost everybody has been), but the difference is that he has been enjoying the trappings of a good life while on a layoff.
Dustin, on the other hand, has stayed hungry and wanted or needed this win more.
I am not going to say we are seeing McGregor’s downfall. After all, he is still 1-1 against Poirier, and it’s like that at the top level of fighting. One mistake and it’s all over.
But by God, he better get his act together. Actually, his act is wearing thin. He talks a lot of smack, but he’s been failing to back that up with his performances.
Conor has to regain his focus and that is to get back on track in the Octagon.
Forget professional boxing. Imagine how he would have looked like if that was Manny Pacquiao who landed flush.
VERBATIM. “This is what happenend, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality.—Khabib Nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib)
LAST ROUND. It’s on my cousin, Atty. Dax Quijano, who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!