Dustin Poirier Says Conor McGregor Will Look Better Than Nate Diaz in MMA Return
Dustin Poirier believes Conor McGregor still has serious weapons left for his MMA return.
Speaking about McGregor’s possible comeback, Poirier said he expects Conor to look much better than Nate Diaz did in his own return to mixed martial arts. He also believes McGregor will carry a clear power advantage if he faces Max Holloway again.
“Punching power will be there regardless,” Poirier said. “I love Max, but he’s touched the canvas in his last three fights.”
It is an interesting take because Poirier knows both men well. He has fought McGregor multiple times, shared the cage with Holloway, and understands what makes each fighter dangerous.
Poirier Still Believes in McGregor’s Power
The biggest part of Poirier’s comment is his belief that McGregor’s punching power will still be there.
Even after time away from the Octagon, power is usually one of the last things to leave a fighter. Speed, timing, cardio, and reaction may take time to return, but natural power often remains.
That is why Poirier sees McGregor as a real threat, especially early in the fight.
At his best, McGregor was one of the most accurate punchers in MMA. He did not need wild volume to hurt opponents. He used timing, distance, and his left hand to punish mistakes. If that weapon is still sharp, Holloway would have to respect it.
Max Holloway Is Still a Dangerous Fight
Poirier made it clear that he respects Max Holloway, but he also pointed out that Holloway has been dropped in recent fights.
That matters because McGregor’s best path to victory would likely be clean power shots in the early rounds. Holloway is known for his toughness, pace, volume, and ability to overwhelm opponents over time. But if he gets hit clean by McGregor, the fight could change quickly.
Still, Holloway is not an easy opponent for anyone.
He has elite experience, incredible cardio, and one of the best pressure-striking styles in the sport. If McGregor cannot slow him down early, Holloway could drag the fight into deeper waters and test Conor’s conditioning.
That is what makes the matchup so interesting.
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McGregor vs Holloway 2 Has Real History
McGregor and Holloway first fought in 2013, when both men were still early in their UFC journeys. McGregor won that fight, but both fighters have changed massively since then.
McGregor became the biggest superstar in UFC history and captured belts in two divisions. Holloway became one of the greatest featherweights ever and built a reputation as one of the toughest fighters in the sport.
A rematch now would not feel like a repeat of the first fight. It would feel like two legends meeting again after completely different career paths.
Why Poirier’s Opinion Matters
Poirier is not speaking as a random observer.
He has felt McGregor’s power. He has also fought Holloway and understands Max’s durability and pace. That gives his opinion more weight than the usual fan debate.
When Poirier says McGregor will look better than Nate Diaz in an MMA return, he is likely talking about style, athleticism, explosiveness, and how Conor’s weapons translate back into the cage.
Diaz and McGregor are very different fighters. Diaz relies more on toughness, boxing volume, and pressure. McGregor relies more on timing, accuracy, and explosive power.
That difference could make McGregor’s return look sharper if he comes in prepared.
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Final Thoughts
Dustin Poirier believes Conor McGregor still has enough power to be dangerous in his MMA return, especially against Max Holloway.
He respects Holloway, but he sees McGregor’s punching power as a major factor. If Conor lands clean, Poirier believes that power can still change the fight.
The big question is whether McGregor can bring back the timing, movement, and cardio that made him special at his peak.
If he can, the Holloway rematch becomes one of the most fascinating fights the UFC could make.
