Conor McGregor, who has returned after a year, is hit by Poirier’s straight punch in the return match on the 24th. [USA 투데이=연합뉴스]
– Is McGregor’s era ending like this? Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor (33, Ireland), the best star of mixed martial arts, was completely defeated in a comeback match after a year.
Helplessly beaten by Poirier
Undefeated marching superstar to win two weight classes
Disgrace to the economy after 1 year of retirement
– McGregor (4th place in UFC) won Dustin Poirier (32, USA, 2nd place) at the 257 Lightweight (70kg) Main Event (Round 5) held in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE on the 24th (Korea time). ), lost TKO in 2 minutes and 32 seconds of the second round. McGregor, who debuted at the UFC in 2008, did not have a KO in 26 games (22-4). Poirier, who lost TKO by McGregor in the first match in September 2014, swears in a rematch after six years and four months.
McGregor was helpless from the start of the game. McGregor, whose primary weapon is a left-handed punch, has to step forward with his right foot in order to gain strength. Poirier’s leg kick (leg attack) poured into McGregor’s right calf each time. It was 18 times until the middle of the second round. His legs were broken. When we entered the second round, the shock accumulated and we could not get on the right foot properly. The attack could not be avoided. At 2 minutes and 27 seconds, Poirier’s two-handed punches 10 consecutive hits. The last 10th right hand straight stuck in the face. McGregor sank into the octagon, and the referee stopped the game. CBS Sports in the US described it as “extraordinary”.
McGregor is a superstar with both skill and popularity. For the first time in UFC history, he won both weight classes at the same time. In 2015, he became the featherweight (66kg) champion, and in 2016 he raised the weight and even wore a lightweight championship belt. He is a special striker who knocks out opponents with boxing and anomalous karate. During the match, he showed off a showmanship that provoked the opponent by falling behind, or by constantly making noise and raising the opponent.
McGregor lost in a boxing match against ’49 undefeated boxer’ Poloid Mayweather (44, USA) in 2017. Fans call him’Super Villain’. McGregor has 38.6 million followers on Instagram. According to Forbes, his income last year was 48 million dollars (about 53 billion won), which is the 16th among sports players in the world.
McGregor declared retirement through Instagram in June of last year, saying, “I’m bored now.” It was after winning Donald Seroni (38, USA) with TKO in January. This time I made a full comeback. Some point out that “a trick to get a lot of war charges”. His competition fee for this tournament is 5 million dollars (about 5.5 billion won), 5 times that of Poirier. McGregor swears, “I’ll finish it in 60 seconds,” but rather lose face.
UFC representative Dana White (52, USA) is also worried. White wanted McGregor to win. After having retired champion Habib Nurmagomedov (31, Russia) who retired with a victory in the 29th match, he was preparing a’box-office plan’ to confront McGregor. “I’ll start again,” said Jean McGregor, humiliated. I will continue to fight.”
Reporter Pee Ju-young [email protected]
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