UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 Main Event Odds and Betting Picks

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a jam-packed schedule and this Saturday we are getting what should be a very entertaining rematch between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Here’s a complete preview, including updated UFC odds and our betting pick.

Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor

Saturday, January 23, 2021 – 10:05 PM EST at UFC Fight Island

In the main event of the evening, Dustin Poirier battles Conor McGregor. UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 takes place at the UFC Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. A limited number of fans will be in attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With plenty of betting lines and markets currently available, let’s attempt to find some value for our UFC picks on Saturday’s main event.

Dustin Poirier

Introduction, Background and UFC Career

Dustin Poirier pursued his MMA career in 2009 and he was 7-0 in regional matches across his native Louisiana. His first-round knockout against Daniel Watts at Bang Fighting Championships on October 31st, 2009 helped him make a name for himself. Poirier caught even more attention after beating No. 1 contender Josh Grispi at UFC 125 on January 1st, 2011. He stepped up to replace then-featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who suffered a back injury and ended up making the most of the opportunity.

His first main event was at UFC on Fuel TV 3 against Chan Sung Jung on May 15th, 2012. He was submitted in the fourth round but it was an incredible performance by both fighters. It ended up being the Fight of the Night and many publications considered it the Fight of the Year.

After almost a decade in the UFC, Poirier has fought the best that the promotion has to offer and he’s beaten Max Holloway (twice), Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Dan Hooker. Poirier even won the interim lightweight championship against Holloway at UFC 236 on April 13th, 2019. Winning the real title is still a goal of his.

• Born: January 19th, 1989
• Age: 31
• Country: United States
• Height: 5’9″
• Weight: 155 lbs
• Reach: 72″
• Stance: Southpaw
• Association: American Top Team
• Class: Lightweight
• Record: 26-6-1

Stats

Method of Victory	Significant Strikes	Takedowns
12 wins by KO/TKO	5.57 Landed	35% Accuracy
7 wins by Submission	4.18 Absorbed	60% Defended
7 wins by Decision

Octagon Strengths

• Battle-tested
• Durable
• Great wrestler and boxer

Octagon Weaknesses

• Already lost to McGregor

Conor McGregor

Introduction, Background and UFC Career

Conor McGregor's story is inspirational. He grew up in a blue collar lower-middle class family in Dublin, Ireland and then became a multi-division champion and the highest-earning athlete in the UFC. His skills inside the octagon and his personality helped cement his name in combat sports history and he still has a lot to give to MMA.

A two-division champion at Cage Warriors, a British MMA promotion, McGregor made so much noise that UFC President Dana White noticed and in time, he became the second Irishmen in history to sign with the UFC. "Notorious" made his presence known in the promotion, changing the business forever. He's done it all, dominating the featherweight and lightweight divisions with wins against Max Holloway, Saturday's opponent Dustin Poirier, Chad Mendes, Jose Aldo, Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone. Facing Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 after almost two years out of the octagon wasn't a wise move but stopping Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds following over 15 months away at UFC 246 on January 18th, 2020 put him in a position to take any fight in the division.

Born: July 14th, 1988

Age: 32

Country: Ireland

Height: 5’8″

Weight: 170 lbs

Reach: 74″

Stance: Southpaw

Association: SBG Ireland

Class: Welterweight

Record: 22-4

Stats

Method of Victory	Significant Strikes	Takedowns
19 wins by KO/TKO	5.43 Landed	62% Accuracy
1 win by Submission	4.40 Absorbed	70% Defended
2 wins by Decision

Octagon Strengths

• World-class striker
• Uses his range as well as anyone in the UFC today
• Powerful, accurate left hand

Octagon Weaknesses

• Comes off long layoff

Prediction

“I like Dustin. I think he’s a good fighter,” McGregor said during a clip on the UFC 257 “Countdown” show. “He’s even a great fighter. But great is still levels below me. I’ll knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds.”

McGregor finished Poirier inside of a round at UFC 178 on September 27th, 2014 when they met at featherweight. This fight could decide the next lightweight title challenger and both Poirier and McGregor are hungry, accomplished athletes. How will the lightweight version of Dustin Poirier handle Conor McGregor's fast counter striking? McGregor's elusiveness, technique and precise striking can be the difference again but keep in mind that both fighters are levels above the old versions of themselves. McGregor is one of my favorites but he might be underestimating Poirier. He is more than capable of ending the fight quickly but I like the price I'm getting for the Fight Starts Round 3 prop at BetOnline.

My Pick: Fight Starts Round 3 +125 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

Fight Starts Round 3 +125

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