DUSTIN POIRIER is refusing to say “never” when it comes to a blockbuster fourth fight with Conor McGregor.
The former interim lightweight champion scored consecutive wins over the UFC’s poster boy last year – the first of which came via an emphatic second-round knockout on Fight Island.
Dustin Poirier scored back-to-back wins over Conor McGregor last year
MMA superstar McGregor suffered an horrific broken leg in his trilogy fight with The Diamond
Poirier is refusing to rule out having a fourth fight with Notorious
An horrific leg break seconds before the end of the first round saw Poirier awarded a TKO victory over Notorious in their Sin City series decider last July.
The manner in which the trilogy fight ended has fans some clamouring for a fourth showdown, a fight Poirier isn’t closing the door on.
When asked about facing McGregor a fourth time, The Diamond said: “I’m not sure.
“You never know in this sport. I don’t know if he’s coming back, what weight class, I’m not sure.
“Never say never, but it’s not looking like it in the near future. We’ll see.
“I fought him three times. I’m trying to get to the title.”
Poirier’s latest stop on the road back to a third crack at the lightweight title will see him throw down with former Bellator 155lb champ Michael Chandler.
The pair will collide on a blockbuster UFC 281 card at Madison Square Garden early on Sunday morning.
McGregor, meanwhile, is in the final stages of recovering from the broken leg he suffered in Vegas last year.
The Irishman – who has packed on several pounds of muscle over the last 12 months – is targeting a return to the octagon early in 2023.
But the former two-division champion is currently not enrolled in the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool – which he must be in for a minimum of six months before competing.
The UFC can, however, waive the six-month requirement provided McGregor returns two negative drug tests.
McGregor recently said of his comeback: “I’m going to be back soon, hopefully.
“Early 2023 I’m aiming for. Sometime in that first quarter.
“That will give me a good couple of months [to prepare].
“Once I wrap this up in a couple of days, get the camp going [for] a good couple of months. And get going.”
Dustin Poirier will lock horns with Michael Chandler at UFC 281 this weekend
Conor McGregor is hoping to return to the octagon early next year
