UFC 257: How to watch Conor McGregor-Dustin Poirier rematch
A title may not be on the line during the main event of UFC 257, but that’s not going to stop people from tuning into the event. That’s usually the case when Conor McGregor is involved.
It helps, however, that a shot at the title will likely be on the line. And if McGregor wins, that could set up another bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
But that’s getting ahead of Saturday’s matchup, which will feature McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier. McGregor is considered the favorite in that bout, but Poirier is hardly a slouch, especially against elite strikers.
[UFC 257 on ESPN+ PPV: Buy Conor McGregor fight here]
It will be the first time the two have faced off since 2014. McGregor won that bout in under two minutes, but the win was not without controversy. A crucial punch from McGregor hit Poirier in the back of the head. Those types of strikes are not allowed in MMA.
Would Khabib return to fighting following UFC 257?
A win Saturday would likely set up a shot at the lightweight title. Nurmagomedov currently holds that title, but retired after his mother asked him to leave the sport. It’s possible Nurmagomedov will return — and UFC president Dana White will certainly try to make that happen — but Nurmagomedov seems pretty comfortable in retirement.
If Nurmagomedov decides to remain retired, he would eventually be stripped of that title. In that scenario, the winner of McGregor vs. Poirier would get a shot to be UFC’s next lightweight champ.
Saturday’s event will be streamed exclusively through ESPN+ Pay-Per-View. Coverage will begin at 10 p.m. ET.
UFC 257 main card (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)
Conor McGregor (22-4) vs. Dustin Poirier (26-6)
Michael Chandler (21-5) vs. Dan Hooker (20-9)
Jessica Eye (15-8) vs. Joanne Calderwood (14-5)
Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2) vs. Amanda Ribas (10-1)
Makhmud Muradov (24-6) vs. Andrew Sanchez (12-5)
UFC 257 preliminary card (8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+)
Arman Tsarukyan (15-2) vs. Matt Frevola (8-1-1)
Brad Tavares (17-6) vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. (10-4)
Sara McMann (12-5) vs. Julianna Pena (9-4)
Marcin Prachnio (13-5) vs. Khalil Rountree (8-4)
UFC 257 early prelims (7 p.m. ET, UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+)
Nik Lentz (30-11-2) vs. Movsar Evloev (13-0)
Amir Albazi (13-1) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (13-4)
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