Conor McGregor hasn’t fought in about five years. Many fans of the Irish fighter would like to forget his last bout in July 2021, a bout that affected his health and status in the sport.
The loss against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 ended after the former broke his tibia, making Poirier 2-1 against McGregor.
In Las Vegas, over 20,062 were in attendance to see if McGregor could return to form. The loss left a sour taste in McGregor’s mouth.
McGregor has been out of action since the Poirier loss. Recovering from surgery, McGregor focused on his business ventures, tried a run in politics, and has been involved in several court cases. He also teased a fight against Michael Chandler.
Despite all that had gone down since they fought, the hunger was still there. He finally returns against Max Holloway at UFC 329. Before we can focus on that fight, back at the T-Mobile Arena, we must reflect on the Poirier fight that changed everything.
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The Sporting News takes a look back at Conor McGregor’s last opponent and the fight.
Who is Dustin Poirier?
Poirier (30-10, 1 NC) is one of the most accomplished fighters to never win a UFC title. He’s tied for multiple UFC records, including most Fight of the Night bonuses (ranked second with 10) and most finishes (6) against current, former, or future UFC champions.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, “The Diamond” turned pro in 2009. After competing for WEC, Poirier made his UFC debut in 2011, losing to Holloway early in his career. He lost against McGregor in 2014.
After that loss, Poirier went on a multi-fight win streak, beating the likes of Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, Holloway (in a rematch), Dan Hooker, and Michael Chandler.
Poirier knocked McGregor out in a rematch at UFC 257 in July 2021 and beat him again at UFC 264 a few months later.
A former interim champion, Poirier failed to win lightweight gold against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. After losing against Holloway in a trilogy at UFC 318 for BMF gold, Poirier retired.
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What happened in Conor McGregor’s last fight?
Attempting to avoid the fate he suffered in the rematch, McGregor changed things up in the trilogy fight.
Unfortunately for him, it didn’t matter in the end.
McGregor opened the fight attempting to use leg kicks, the very thing that compromised him in the second fight against Poirier. Poirier, unfazed, landed a few leg kicks of his own and countered with hard right hands.
Later in the round, both landed combinations. Poirier went for a takedown, and McGregor attempted a guillotine to a thunderous ovation. It didn’t last long, as Poirier got on top and lit McGregor up with elbows. It took a while for McGregor to get back up.
Once back up, Poirier landed a brutal right hand. McGregor was down on the floor. Poirier went for the kill until the end of the round. Before Round 2 could begin, it was realized that McGregor had injured his leg. The fight was over before it could really begin.
An incensed McGregor was interviewed by Joe Rogan while on the floor, yelling “It’s not over” and calling out Poirier’s wife.
McGregor would then need surgery after suffering a broken lower tibia. He didn’t fight after that as he was recovering. McGregor coached The Ultimate Fighter and was supposed to fight Michael Chandler, but McGregor suffered a broken toe, nixing the bout.
After several controversies outside the octagon, he faces Holloway at UFC 329.
Poirier would go 2-4 after, failing to capture the UFC lightweight title and the BMF Title, both twice. He retired after losing to Holloway at UFC 318 in 2025.
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