DUSTIN POIRIER reveals that he considered quitting mixed martial arts after losing to Conor McGregor.
The former interim lightweight champion was defeated by The Notorious in the first round of KO seven years ago at UFC 178, Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier first fought at UFC 178
McGregor's defeat ended Poirier’s hopes of winning the featherweight title, and forced the American to reassess the sport.
He said that he fought Conor McGregor the first time he appeared at The Vault 2021.
"I was very close to winning the title shot.
"I was in the Top 2 world rankings and I went out there to beat a guy who runs his mouth and says all these things.
"When I returned home, I felt like I was looking in the mirror and asking myself, "What am I doing?
"What's the matter? I put everything into this, and I lost."
He said, "I was on an excellent streak. He or I were going to fight for the belt."
Poirier, 32 years old, will move up to lightweight after McGregor's defeat. McGregor won nine of his 11 bouts to earn the interim 155lb title.
McGregor was eventually beaten by Louisana in January. He was knocked out in round two of the Fight Island showdown.
Poirier would win the series in July by winning the first round of TKO in Las Vegas. However, his opponent was injured.
McGregor, 33 years old, is determined to have a fourth fight. Poirier is also open to it.
According to him, he believes he has proven himself the superior fighter twice here. But we'll wait and see what happens (about a fourth fight).
"I don’t know when he’s coming back. He has a long recovery and a long road ahead.
"I'm the next in line to a title shot, but it's difficult to predict what's going in the future. I don't know."
McGregor is making a quicker recovery than expected from his terrible injury and feels ready to kick again.
He told Adam's Apple last month that he felt like he could kick right now.
"I feel like I could kick right about now, but I have to listen to my doctors and listen to those who are leading me.
"That's all I've done so I've committed myself and am now back on my feet.
"It feels so good to get back on your feet."
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