Conor McGregor promises to showcase 'new level' when he faces Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

Conor McGregor is preparing for his UFC return thiis coming January, one year after his last Octagon outing.

UFC President Dana White has said that the Irishman will be facing Dustin Poirier on January 23, 2021 at UFC 257. Both the fighters have confirmed that the bout will take place at lightweight.

Conor McGregor celebrates four years of his dual championship

It has been four years since Conor McGregor sat on top of the cage at Madison Square Garden with his two UFC title belts on his shoulders.

'The Notorious' faced Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 and knocked him out in the second round to make history and become the first UFC champion to hold two belts at the same time.

McGregor shared moments of the fight on his Instagram account, saying that he has "surpassed this level, multiple times over" and he is ready to "showcase" that at UFC 257 against Dustin Poirier.

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Most Knockdowns in a UFC World Title Fight! Clinical shooting. I have surpassed this level, multiple times over. Excited to showcase!

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Nov 12, 2020 at 9:06am PST

This will be the second time that McGregor goes up against Poirier. The first time they met was at UFC 178 in September 2014. The former prevailed with a first-round knockout victory in the bout, which was at featherweight.

McGregor has levelled up quite a bit since his 2016 lightweight title win over Alvarez after initially upping the ante following his 2014 bout against Poirier. He displayed exceptional moves at UFC 246 earlier this year, knocking 'Cowboy' Cerrone out in 40 seconds flat after more than a year away from the Octagon.

Conor McGregor reminisces his early days

Conor McGregor recollected the first time that he fought with Dustin Poirier, posting a picture of their face-off with a long caption.

McGregor revealed that he wore his grandfather's shoes to the face-off, and he also signed a new contract with UFC on the same day. It had payment figures in it that he had 'never seen before in his life'.

He added that he was looking forward to return and face the challenge Dustin Poirier will bring, promising to meet it with his "incredibly deep cache of weaponry".

McGregor also highlighted that he was excited about being associated with Poirier's charity, The Good Fight Foundation, a non-profit organization for underprivileged youth centered in The Diamond's hometown Lafayette, Louisiana. He said that he would match the donation for a similar deal for his own hometown as well.

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The first time I came face to face with Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier. Las Vegas Nevada, August 2014. I was only beginning to blow up and this was a big one! I rocked renowned Dublin Tailor Louis Copeland on the day. Midnight blue pinstripe. I paired the outfit with me grandas burgundy shoes, which I done an amazing job polishing on my Aer Lingus flight over. Zoom in, have a whiff. This same day I also signed a new contract with the UFC, under Lorenzo Fertitta. Lorenzo brought me into his office, myself and my manager Audie Attar, and placed a contract down in front of me with numbers I’d never seen before in my life! I looked over at Audie like, “you won’t be needed on this one mate” 😂 We both knew but play it cool we are still in the office hahaha! Wild! The first of our dealings together on some of the largest purse contracts in the history of combat fighting. Incredible! The moment was captured on one of the episodes of my 6 part series, which I had done for RTE. A real turning point in my career, both financially and professionally. The episode was titled “The Suite Life” as I was rocking around the Red Rock casino in absolute shock and awe. Trying to grasp what the fuck was actually going on Hahahaha! What a wild ride this has been. I am very grateful to be about to return and get to do what I love again. I look forward to the fresh test Dustin will bring since our first bout, while also showcasing my own incredibly deep cache of weaponry. Whatever tool is needed on the night will be pulled from the duffel. I am also really excited about aiding Dustins charity “The Good Fight Foundation”, which through the donation, will build a gym/premise for disadvantaged youth in his childhood hometown. I truly love this, and pledge to match the donation on a premise in my own childhood hometown! Both spots with an ode to the upcoming bout. Excellent stuff! See you guys soon.

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Nov 10, 2020 at 3:53pm PST

As per several reports, Dustin Poirier has already signed the dotted lines for the fight. Conor McGregor is yet to do so, but has verbally agreed to the fight - both to UFC and on social media.