‘I expect a completely different Conor McGregor’: Dustin Poirier’s coach believes Irishman will have adapted for UFC 264 as calf kicks ‘did not taste good’ in January defeat
- Dustin Poirier’s coach believes Conor McGregor will adopt a different approach
- McGregor struggled with Poirier’s calf kicks during their clash in January
- Mike Brown says tactic is an option but expects McGregor will be switched on
Dustin Poirier’s coach is expecting a ‘completely different’ approach from Conor McGregor at UFC 264.
Poirier and McGregor are set to face each other in a trilogy fight in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, with Poirier having prevailed in their most recent clash earlier this year.
Mike Brown, Poirier’s head coach, anticipates that McGregor will be determined to gain revenge.
Dustin Poirier’s coach believes Conor McGregor will have made adaptations for UFC 264
Brown told The Sun: ‘They’re both two different guys now. I expect a completely different Conor.
‘One thing I expect is a motivated Conor. I’m sure that last fight didn’t taste very good.
‘And I’m sure, especially with the low leg kick, the calf kick, that pain doesn’t go away in a couple of hours. It doesn’t go away the next day.
‘You carry that for a week, two weeks, sometimes more. That didn’t taste very well and I’m sure he’s motivated by all these things.’
Poirier’s calf kicks caused problems for McGregor when the pair faced each other in January
Poirier’s coach Mike Brown is anticipating a ‘completely different’ approach from McGregor
A key factor in January’s fight was Poirier’s calf kicks, which eventually led to McGregor being knocked out.
Brown stated that Poirier will still use the same technique on this occasion but is wary that McGregor will be more prepared.
Brown said: ‘It’d be silly not to think that that’s not an option. But obviously, it’d be silly to think that Conor hasn’t adapted.
‘So that’s always a possibility. But we’re expecting that Conor is going to have made so adjustments and ready for the calf kick.’
The winner of the fight could earn an extra £54,000, with the UFC having increased their bonuses for Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night.
McGregor prevailed in his initial meeting with Poirier in 2014 but will be eager to provide a reminder of his ability when the pair meet again.