When they fought as featherweights at UFC 178 in September 2014, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier were still kids growing up in the fight game. Both were in their mid-20s and looking to prove themselves as the next big thing in the UFC.
In the buildup, McGregor and Poirier had a testy exchange each time they faced off before McGregor’s eventual first-round TKO win. This time around, as they get set to rematch one month from today in a pivotal lightweight headliner at UFC 257, it’s been different. It’s been respectful. It’s been quiet – even on social media as others have made bold claims.
Perhaps that changes as the rematch draws closer, but before they run it back, you can watch those heated 2014 staredowns in the video above.
UFC 257 takes place Jan. 23 and streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view from “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.
Video: Before UFC 257, relive Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier’s history of heated faceoffs
