‘He’s a Horrible Person, but…’: Dustin Poirier Makes Honest Conor McGregor Admission

Respect is earned, but praise from an old enemy is rarer still. That's exactly what Conor McGregor received from Dustin Poirier, despite years of bad blood between the two.

All in all, the duo’s trilogy featured unforgettable fights, bitter exchanges, so much enough bad blood to ensure there would never be any love lost between the two. That's why Poirier's latest comments came as something of a surprise. 

Dustin Poirier Believes Conor McGregor can Still Fight with UFC's Best

While the retired UFC star made it clear that his opinion of McGregor as a person hasn't changed, he had no hesitation in acknowledging the Irishman's ability inside the Octagon. In fact, Poirier believes that if anyone can return after a five-year layoff and immediately compete with the sport's elite, it's his longtime rival.

McGregor's comeback against Max Holloway at UFC 329 marks the end of a five-year absence from competition. During that time, the former two-division champion recovered from the broken leg he suffered in his trilogy bout against Poirier, while also navigating several personal and professional setbacks outside the cage.

Many have questioned whether “The Notorious” can still perform at an elite level after such a lengthy layoff. Poirier, however, isn't one of those skeptics.

Dustin Poirier Opens up on Conor McGregor

Speaking in a recent interview with One on One, "The Diamond" admitted that McGregor remains a dangerous opponent, provided he returns in the right frame of mind.

"If Conor comes in shape, focused, you know he's a dangerous man. If anybody can comeback after five-years and put it all together and start winning against the best guys, its Conor."

The Louisiana native then made an admission few people expected to hear - "He's a special individual, even though he's a horrible person. I don't like him (but) I got to give props where its due. He has some God given gifts."

Considering everything the pair has been through, the comments carry significant weight. Poirier has shared the Octagon with the Southpaw three times and knows better than most what the Irishman is capable of when he's at his best.

Rivalry Gives Dustin Poirier Unique Perspective 

It's easy to dismiss opinions about McGregor's comeback as speculation, particularly hinging upon his lengthy hiatus. But Poirier's assessment is different because it comes from someone who has experienced both sides of the rivalry.

The two first met in 2014, when the Irishman stopped Poirier in the opening round to announce himself as a genuine featherweight contender. Nearly seven years later, Poirier returned the favor with consecutive victories in 2021, stopping McGregor in their rematch before their trilogy ended prematurely after the Irishman suffered a broken leg.

That shared history gives Poirier a unique perspective on the challenge awaiting McGregor against Max Holloway.

His comments also echo the views of former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, who recently backed McGregor to defeat Holloway. Du Plessis pointed to the Irishman's timing and knockout power, arguing that if anyone can produce another memorable finish after such a long layoff, it's "The Notorious."

Conor McGregor Revitalized Ahead of Comeback Fight

McGregor himself has expressed similar confidence. Ahead of his long-awaited return, he said the years away from competition have left him feeling refreshed rather than rusty. 

In addition, he also revealed that his recovery extended beyond the physical side of the sport, explaining that he sought treatment and spent years working on himself while recovering from his injury.

If there's one message from Poirier's latest interview, it's this: regardless of how he feels about McGregor personally, he still respects the danger the former champion brings when he's healthy, hungry and fully committed.