ABU DHABI – UFC president Dana White is a promoter, yes, but he’s a fight fan, too.
With UFC 257 and the rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier right around the corner, White is excited by what he’s seen and heard from both main event competitors.
According to White, McGregor is extremely motivated entering UFC 257. White indicated McGregor hasn’t always had that throughout the span of his career.
“It’s one thing to have Conor back,” White told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “It’s another thing to have Conor back. This is the motivated (Conor). When Conor is like he is right now, you’re guaranteed for (something).”
The motivation comes from inactivity, White presumes. McGregor has competed only once since October 2018. His time away from competition has made him hungrier for a return, according to White.
“I think (the) time off is what’s given him this,” White said. “He’s as famous as famous can be. You said he’s got all the money in the world. There’s a lot of things that drive you crazy about this sport. It gets you to a point where you’re just like, ‘I don’t want anything to do with this right now.’ Once you get away from it for a while, you start to remember all of the things that you love about it.
“I can imagine, for a fighter, I couldn’t speak on that side, (about) the level of training that they do and fight week and all the things that go into it, but I think you start to miss it. I think that’s where he was. I’ve seen it happen with so many other guys, too. I think that’s his motivation right now.”
While the spotlight largely falls on McGregor when he fights, regardless of opponent, White isn’t counting out Poirier. When McGregor and Poirier fought at UFC 187 in September 2013, the Irishman knocked out the American in the first round. Seven years later, Poirier thinks he’s a much different, more evolved – and his boss believes him.
“I just saw a thing with Poirier yesterday where Poirier is like, ‘Let me tell you what. If you think that I’m the same guy that fought Conor last time, you’re out of your mind. You’re going to see a war.’ I believe every word of it,” White said. “This is the right fight at the right time for both of these guys and I think it’s going to be fun.”
UFC 257 takes place Saturday, Jan. 23 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card streams on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Dana White previews UFC 257 headliner: ‘Motivated’ Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2.0
