UFC 264: Chris Weidman's keys -- and a prediction -- for Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier three

The UFC's blockbuster battle of the summer will go down this weekend in Las Vegas, as Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor meet for a third time at UFC 264. The competition is tied at 1-1, with one knockout on either side. McGregor (22-5) finished Poirier in the opening round again in 2014. Poirier (27-6) evened the rating with a 2nd-circular knockout at UFC 257 in January. Saturday's combat will now not just be for bragging rights between the two, nevertheless it additionally will shape the instant future of the light-weight division. McGregor, 32, is looking to prove he is nevertheless an elite skill, despite a 1-2 checklist given that 2016. Whoever wins is anticipated to circulate on to a title combat against Charles Oliveira, even though it's feasible McGregor may additionally consider different alternate options. Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier will complete their trilogy on July 10, and a light-weight title shot can be on the road in front of a capacity crowd in Las Vegas. UFC 264: McGregor vs. Poirier three• Saturday, July 10, T-cellular arena, Las Vegas• main card: 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV• Prelims: eight p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+• Early prelims: 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+ Subscribe to ESPN+ to get exclusive live UFC movements, weigh-ins and greater; Dana White's Contender sequence; and more exclusive MMA content material. forward of this essential showdown, ESPN requested former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, who has analyzed the first two fights of this trilogy, to destroy down the keys to the matchup and prefer a winner. Editor's observe: Weidman's breakdown, as instructed to ESPN's Brett Okamoto, has been edited for brevity and readability. McGregor's stance one of the most leading things i spotted within the January battle was that Conor wasn't in his commonplace karate stance, the place he's bouncing up and down and attempting to attract guys towards his large left hand. In that fight, it gave the look of he changed into simply plodding ahead and looking to field. it is brilliant for his punches, nonetheless it's more difficult to assess kicks in that classification of stance. Poirier took competencies of that. Conor became in a traditional boxing stance, trying to put loads of force on Poirier. His hands had been up, and the entire fundamentals have been appropriate, however he did not flow within the method we have seen him move earlier than. I imply, seem to be on the Jose Aldo fight [in 2015]. Conor become just bouncing, bouncing, bouncing. it's an uncomfortable feeling if you happen to're going in opposition t a man like that. It creates an overreaction, the place you throw huge punches he can counter. Conor McGregor didn't utilize his standard karate stance within the January fight with Dustin Poirier, and that limited him. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCGrappling and cardio I do not believe it's a big secret Poirier needs to drain Conor's cardio, and there is nothing more advantageous at draining cardio than wrestling and grappling exchanges. 2 linked Poirier got him down early in the final combat, but Conor acquired back to his ft. He framed to manage positioning and did a very good job of staying at ease. He ended up turning Poirier towards the cage. however in spite of the fact that Conor did incredible in these exchanges, now not permitting Poirier to do anything along with his left hand, I just feel the stress of the place changed into not relaxed for Conor. I believe Poirier will grapple as a whole lot as he maybe can. Any time there's a clinch the place he has Conor on the cage is a fine element. Any time he receives Conor down, or even gets right into a scramble on the mat, in Poirier's mind is a win for him. he's Conor's stamina bar and anticipating it to expend. When Conor defended takedowns in the remaining fight, he did not automatically disengage and get again to the center of the Octagon. I think like he should. As quickly as he is in any of those positions, there isn't any extra playing round, no chilling and enjoyable. just get the heck off the cage. 'Kicking the kicker' Conor's handiest center of attention in the closing combat was punches. Dustin turned into brooding about takedowns and kicks. Make your UFC 264 picks and compete for a chance to win $25,000! Make Your Picks Conor definitely must start kicking the kicker. if you are just attempting to box a kicker, his legs are longer than your hands, so the opponent is gonna at all times join earlier than you do. in case you wish to get internal and container, you have bought to kick first and work your manner in. you might have got to get the opponent to respect your kicking. You can not just be strolling ahead. As that final fight went on, Conor wasn't in a position to throw punches from a robust base after eating these kicks. You might see his appropriate foot not moving anymore, and he became surely in ache. And Poirier all started to feint as that took place, his confidence rising. The truth Conor caught a calf kick and then threw up a crappy kick of his own, you simply knew he changed into no longer himself in that second. The punches he became throwing were simply arm punches. once Conor's leg turned into hurt, Poirier begun trying to find the conclude. Man, you don't want to be hurt towards Dustin Poirier. His fingers are so crisp when he's going after that conclude. The greater Dustin Poirier grew to become January's bout right into a grappling contest, the more it depleted Conor McGregor. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCConfidence watching the closing battle, you could see the self assurance getting sucked out of Conor. Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega train a dynamic cast of 16 ascending athletes who've put every little thing else in their lives apart for the chance to pursue their UFC desires. Season premieres Tuesday, June 1. Watch on ESPN+ however I don't suppose there's cause to query his self belief going into this fight. Conor is accepted for dealing with force. on the identical time, in case you simply got knocked out and now you're dealing with that guy once more, it really is lots of pressure. "What if it happens once again?" there's no question that is in Conor's mind. however there may be additionally lots of pressure on Poirier. He appeared remarkable in January, but when he loses this battle, what does he ought to stand on? i would like to see the historical Conor lower back, with all of the intellectual stuff happening. i'd want to see him talking trash. He become so respectable on the intellectual warfare online game and combating with intense self belief. He had guys beat before they even walked in the cage, after which he is bouncing of their face and throwing these crazy kicks. They simply desired to kill him, and that made them overextend themselves. it really is the place Conor is most unhealthy. Prediction play 1:53 Chris Weidman offers his outlook and prediction for Conor McGregor's fight towards Dustin Poirier. After staring at their 2d battle, I've gotta go along with Poirier. He simply mixes it up so a great deal enhanced than Conor, and you might see in January that Conor simply did not have that identical power we are used to seeing him have. That exhilaration. That hearth. he is at all times had that, the place he simply walks in the cage and is like, "this is my cage." You did not see that in him ultimate time. So, unless Conor can show me incorrect, I've gotta go with Poirier.
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