Dustin Poirier has said he would return to the UFC to fight Conor McGregor for a fourth time.
Poirier, who has fought McGregor three times in the UFC, retired from MMA last July after a defeat to Max Holloway, but has teased his return to competition several times since.
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Despite admitting this month that there is a ‘five per cent’ chance he makes a comeback weeks after being arrested for public drunkenness, Poirier has now suggested he would reverse his retirement to fight McGregor again.
Poirier: I’ll whip McGregor in fourth fight
Of course, Poirier was speaking just days after McGregor’s unsuccessful return at UFC 329 against Holloway — a result the American took great pride in watching.
McGregor injured his knee seconds into his Las Vegas comeback, but has said he will come back to see out the final fight in his UFC contract after surgery.
“I’ll tell you what: whenever he is healed up, hit me up, Conor,” Poirier said on Deep Waters via UFC on Paramount+.
“I’ll come back and whip you again.”
Asked if he would genuinely consider coming back for a fourth fight with McGregor, Poirier added: “I would come back to whip him again.
“I would come back to whip him again at 170, [but] I don’t think [McGregor would accept].”
McGregor’s comeback against Holloway took place in the welterweight division at 170lbs.
Poirier has never fought in the 170lbs division in his illustrious fighting career, but neither had Holloway before he fought McGregor for just 69 seconds at UFC 329.
However, the UFC has only ever booked one quadrilogy bout in promotional history.
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How likely is McGregor vs Poirier 4?
That was Deiveson Figueiredo’s UFC flyweight title defence against fellow former champion Brandon Moreno in January 2023.
But there was a legitimate sell for Dana White’s promotion, given Figueiredo and Moreno drew the first time they met at UFC 256 and traded wins in their rematch and trilogy.
But Poirier already has two wins over McGregor, and as he said, the Irishman is unlikely to accept a fourth clash with him.
Furthermore, Poirier has already pointed out how difficult it would be to get cleared to return, as much as he would love to get his hands on McGregor again.
“I’d have to reinstate myself in the drug testing protocol and do six months of clean drug testing before I’m eligible to compete again,” he told Steven Bartlett on The Diary Of A CEO.
“So that would be another six months — it’s just a lot of hoops to jump through.”
A much more likely scenario for McGregor’s next fight is a trilogy with Holloway, considering it’s now one apiece between the UFC stars.
“You guys are lucky because there’s gonna be a Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 3,” Holloway said after defeating ‘The Notorious’ last weekend.
“What can I say? I guess I had him weak at the knees. We have got to run it back one more time for the boys.”
McGregor could also find himself up against Michael Chandler.
Chandler was scheduled to fight McGregor at UFC 303 in 2024 before the latter pulled out with an injured foot on short notice.
Regardless of who he gets, McGregor is confident he will get fit again to make yet another UFC return.
UFC Schedule
There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.
The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.
On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.
With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.
“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight, I cannot believe what has happened,” he posted on social media hours after his defeat to Holloway.
“I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock at what has taken place.
“The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging.
“I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”
