Dustin Poirier has backed Conor McGregor to knock out Michael Chandler inside two rounds when he makes his return to action later this year.
The former interim lightweight champion has more knowledge of McGregor's power and movement than anyone, having fought the Irishman on three different occasions in his career, winning two but losing the first by vicious first round knockout. And he feels that if his rival can make the right moves in training for his return that he will get back in the win column.
Poirier also faced Chandler last year in a thrilling back-and-forth contest which almost saw him suffer a devastating defeat, before turning the bout around and landing a submission win. And he recently confirmed his own return to action, facing Justin Gaethje in a rematch of their 2018 thriller with the infamous BMF belt on the line.
Speaking on The MMA Hour, Poirier said: "I think that if Conor comes back anything like he was with his timing and rhythm, with the injury that he had and this long off a layoff and we are not getting any younger, either, If he comes back similar to who he was before he left, I think he stops Michael Chandler.
"If Conor is who he was before the injury and stuff, I think two rounds, I think the fight is over in two rounds. If anybody can, I think it would be him if he's 100 per cent dedicated, focused and put the blinders on so he can go at this with all of himself I think he can, but we'll see and that's what makes it so interesting."
Chandler had been pushing for the fight with McGregor since making his UFC debut in the co-main event of his rematch with Poirier in 2021. And despite losing three of his five bouts in the promotion, he has earned that opportunity, with the pair first coaching against each other on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter.
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Bookies have the fight almost evens, with fans also torn over who will get the victory. It is expected that the bout will take place in December, with McGregor re-entering the USADA pool imminently for drug testing after being untested for the last two years while recovering from his broken leg.
"That's done, my man," McGregor told Mirror Fighting last week when asked if June 1 is the date for his return to the testing pool, as had been speculated by former fighter and renowned analyst Chael Sonnen. "That's done. Year end, I'm back in that cage having competed. I'm gearing up ready to go.
"Michael Chandler, yeah. It will be announced during The Ultimate Fighter. So The Ultimate Fighter is airing now in a couple of days on ESPN, and by the time that show finishes we'll have a date and everything set for the fans."
