'I have accepted': UFC fans go wild after Conor McGregor backflip
Fans could see Conor McGregor fight again in 2020 after confirming he has accepted the UFC’s offer to fight Dustin Poirier.
McGregor initially announced an exhibition charity match would take place in Dublin on December 12 against Poirier.
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The idea of a charity fight started when McGregor argued with an ESPN MMA panel discussing his willingness to “fight anybody.”
When Poirier retweeted him, McGregor reached out and asked to do a charity fight “zero to do with the UFC.”
But according to the pair, in a recent Twitter exchange, the fight could take place for the UFC.
Poirer reached out to McGregor and wrote: “Hey @TheNotoriousMMA what's up.”
McGregor responded claiming he had accepted the offer, but wanted to fight this year.
Hello Dustin! I accepted the @ufc offer to fight you, but told them it must happen in 2020. I’m ready for Nov 21st, given that cards recent injury issues, as well as any of the December dates, the 12th and the 19th. I’ll also still donate the $500k to The Good Fight Foundation 🙏 https://t.co/23hN4AHtoI
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 8, 2020
“Hello Dustin! I accepted the @ufc offer to fight you, but told them it must happen in 2020,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I’m ready for Nov 21st, given that cards recent injury issues, as well as any of the December dates, the 12th and the 19th. I’ll also still donate the $500k to The Good Fight Foundation.”
Poirer and McGregor could occur in 2020
UFC reporter Ariel Helwani said Poirier was happy to jump into a card this year and that both events have openings after fight cancellations.
Dustin Poirier tells me he would have no issue fighting McGregor on either the 11/21 or 12/12 PPV.
Both techinically have openings at the moment: 11/21 just lost Cody Garbrandt and 12/12 just lost its main event, Usman vs. Burns.— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 8, 2020
Poirer took to Twitter to call out the UFC in order to fast track the fight.
I fight for a lot of things, but nothing more important to me than fighting for change and giving back @TheGoodFightFDN. The Generosity of @TheNotoriousMMA will help countless in need. I have accepted, Connor has accepted, and the fans demand it! Let’s go @ufc @espnmma
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 8, 2020
Even former heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier couldn’t believe the hype.
This I appreciate , sounds like we got a fight boys!! And Conor still willing to give the money to Dustin’s charity. Awesome work McGregor!!! You’re the man! https://t.co/l2SU3lHzU0
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 8, 2020
in the words of the great @GoldieOnTV HERE....WE....GO!!! https://t.co/QD5VsY3gLh
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 8, 2020
White said on the “Spinnin Backfist” podcast that the promotion offered the two a fight and is waiting to hear back.
“(Conor) called out Poirier for a fight with (him) in Dublin for charity,” White said. “So we offered them both a fight. We offered Dustin and Conor a fight, so we’re waiting to hear back from both of them,” he said on MMA Junkie.
It would be the second fight between the two lightweights. McGregor won the first bout via first-round knockout at UFC 178 in September of 2014.
McGregor, 32, has been off since January. He defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in his first fight since the October 2018 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Poirier, 31, was supposed to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 254 but the contract was never finalised. He last fought in June, a unanimous decision win over Dan Hooker.
with Cassandra Negley - Yahoo Sport US
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