UFC 264 PREVIEW
The UFC juggernaut returns this weekend with the Irish megastar & former two-time UFC champion Conor McGregor taking on Dustin Poirier in a must-see trilogy with both fighters taking out one another in spectacular fashion. UFC 264 will take place in a sold out arena at the T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday 11th July.
DUSTIN POIRIER X CONOR MCGREGOR III
The Notorious Conor McGregor looks to avenge the TKO loss to Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier in the main event of UFC 264. Before we get into the Trilogy, we must fully understand how we got here in the first place. We go back in the time machine and set it to September 2014, back then Conor McGregor, a fighter on the rise looking for a signature win to get his MMA career moving in the right direction, he had his followers but also his doubters. UFC match making saw Poirier as a perfect opponent with a stepping stone that allowed McGregor to shoot up the ranks. A press conference was scheduled to promote the fight, they were joined by a much anticipated fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, so the platform was there for McGregor to not only showcase his fighting abilities but also his other talent, mental warfare. Throughout fight week McGregor got on the mic and developed the foundation to mentally defeating Poirier even before they stepped foot into the Octagon. McGregor went on to defeat Poirier inside 2 minutes of the contest via TKO, Poirier cited his defeat on McGregor getting in his head throughout fight week thus causing him to not follow his game plan.
The second fight comes 6 years later, In 2020, during the peak of COVID 19, UFC pressed on and continued to make fights throughout the pandemic, this time heading to Fight Island (Abu Dhabi, UAE) with strict protocols in place, essentially a bubble like environment. The rematch saw a different approach by both fighters since the last time they fought, Conor McGregor, a calm figure, not showing his notable brash talking side and Dustin Poirier not willing to bite on any verbal jabs thrown his way. The fight ensues with both looking to find their range as McGregor lands the cleaner strikes, Poirier midway through the 1st round gets a take down and is unable to keep him down, this now makes way for the pivotal moment of the fight, the Poirier calf kicks. Poirier persistently utilises calf kicks leading to McGregor slowing down, ultimately comprising McGregor in the 1st and 2nd round, Poirier walks him down and lands heavy strikes that staggers McGregor, scoring a 2nd round TKO victory.
The stakes are high and rightfully so, for McGregor, a rebounding win will answer the questions many have put forward, such as ‘Has he checked out of the game?’ and ‘Is he still hungry?’. Poirier asked for the trilogy as soon as he defeated McGregor last year. A win for either fighter puts them as a clear number 1 contender for the newly crowned Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
Prediction: The fight can go 2 ways, If the fight finishes early McGregor will be victorious, notably McGregor comes out the gates like a greyhound, Poirier, on the other hand, likes to drag his opponents in deep water. McGregor’s Lightweight division record (2-2) shows his lack of octagon time, his record is far inferior to that of Poirier’s (11-2), we know Poirier is tried and tested, leaving it all on the line against high level opposition. The durable Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier will leave Las Vegas the victor.
GILBERT BURNS X STEPHEN THOMPSON
This fight is overlooked by many, mainly due to the main event gaining all the attention, make no mistake, this is a fantastic co main event. Gilbert Burns is coming off a TKO defeat, in the form of Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burns had early success in the opening round, however come up short in the 2nd round. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is looking to make a case for a title shot, a win here is needed as his window is starting to close on a lengthy career, the 38 year old impressed with a unanimous decision win over Vicente Luque.
Prediction: They say styles make fights, Gilbert Burns a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against a black belt in the form of Taekwondo & Kick Boxing, the grappler vs striker match-up. I expect Wonderboy (Thompson) to find his range and start to pick a part Burns, Burns will stand with him however, if he is found frustrated, look for him to mix it up and utilise his black belt on the mat. I see Wonderboy (Thompson) picking his shots and Burns struggling to match the output of strikes coming his way. Wonderboy stretching the contest to a 15-minute unanimous masterclass decision victory.
TAI TUIVASA X GREG HARDY
No such thing as a PPV without hard hitting Heavyweights throwing down, West Sydney’s own Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa matches up with former NFL pro bowler Greg ‘The Prince of War’ Hardy. This fight is a crowd pleaser and aims to deliver a knockout for the sold-out crowd in attendance and the millions watching across the globe.
Prediction: Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa is the more skilled fighter in this contest, able to set his strikes up and deliver that calculated knockout blow, Hardy is a raw mixed martial artist, however athleticism is on his side, stemming from his NFL days. I see Bam Bam (Tuivasa) getting the finish in the 2nd round, a KO stoppage victory.
IRENE ALDANA X YANA KUNITSKAYA
An intriguing women’s bantamweight contest between an improved fighter coming off an upset victory and a fighter that disappointed her last time out. Kunitskaya excelled leaps and bounds in her ground game, thus resulting in an important win over a black belt specialist in Ketlen Vieira. Irene Aldana lost convincingly to Kunitskaya’s training partner Holly Holm, she was picked apart in all 5 rounds of their main event and never showed any sign of finding an opening.
Prediction: I’m willing to give Aldana another chance here, although Kunitskaya impressed in her previous fight, she does not possess the same skillset as her training partner. One way traffic to ensue, Aldana cruising to a decision win.
SEAN O’MALLEY X KRIS MOUTINHO
‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley was slated to fight Louis Smolka, a UFC veteran of 17 fights, however he suffered from an infection deeming him medically unfit to fight. Many threw their name into the hat, UFC had other plans, up steps Kris Moutinho, a fighter on the regional mma circut. With very little known of O’Malley’s opponent, this last minute replacement screams of a demolition job at hand as UFC aims to push fan favourite ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley to super stardom.
Prediction: Tough to analyse this one but one can assume O’Malley will finish Kris Moutinho, UFC are looking to boost the stock of ‘Suga’ with the opening fight on the blockbuster PPV card. I believe the array of striking will end the fight with a dominant KO, ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley with a 2nd round stoppage.
Prelim fight to watch: Niko Price will fight Michel Pereira in a welterweight bout. This is must-see TV, Niko Price boasting 4 performance of the night bonuses, always looking to end fights in any way he can. Opposing him, Michel Pereira, he displays unorthodox striking from cart wheels to flips, a true wild man. Expect fireworks!
Multi Bet: Poirier, Thompson decision win and O’Malley TKO/KO win
Words by: Goran Nikolovski
