Conor McGregor changes his Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier prediction in crude UFC 302 tweet storm

Conor McGregor isn’t letting go of his feud with Dustin Poirier despite three years having passed since their controversial trilogy.

The Irishman knocked out his rival the first time they fought each other in 2014, and the pair were remarkably friendly in the lead-up to their first rematch at the beginning of 2021. But in time for the trilogy that summer, things had turned sour and have remained that way since.

McGregor was knocked out in their UFC 257 rematch. But both he and fans watching were left without a satisfying conclusion when their UFC 264 bout was stopped after a round when he snapped his leg, resulting in a lengthy absence from the octagon.

Conor McGregor takes crude swipe at Dustin Poirier ahead of UFC 302

Of course, Dustin Poirier’s attentions will be elsewhere from Conor McGregor as he prepares for his third shot at undisputed lightweight gold against Islam Makhachev this weekend. ‘The Diamond’ will headline UFC 302, and the promotion have revealed that he will be given a custom outfit for the occasion.

Photo By Thomas King/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Usually, UFC fighters are forced to wear a strict fight kit which is stuck to regimented colours and patterns. But on occasion, big names have been approved to wear more extravagant designs, with Poirier being allowed floral shorts for his big night.

But McGregor was not impressed, comparing his rival to a women’s hygiene product in a series of angry tweets. “Tampax pants,” he wrote in one, before sharing a pair of photos of tampons alongside Poirier with the caption “Perfect for a bloodied up p****.”

Conor McGregor backs Islam Makhachev to submit Dustin Poirier within a round

The Irishman is no great fan of Islam Makhachev or his team, which includes long-time rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. But he reckons that the wrestling expert will be able to get the job done quickly and put a stop to Poirier’s real life Rocky story.

MORE BLOODY ELBOW NEWS

McGregor was in the process of mocking Makhachev over an unsubstantiated internet rumour that he is fighting with staph infection when he made his pre-fight prediction. The Russian is regularly subject to pre-fight rumours, but has not yet indicated in any way that he has an infection.

But McGregor, after seeing a tweet theorising about the champion’s condition, wrote on social media: “This team is infested, make no mistake. Scruff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the first.”

Conor McGregor changes his tune days after backing Dustin Poirier to beat Islam Makhachev

However, McGregor wasn’t always so bullish on the lightweight champion’s chances. Just last week he participated in a Kick stream with Duelbits where he theorised about how his old rival could get the job done in what would be a massive upset.

“You know, I think Dustin can do him” McGregor told fans when asked for his thoughts on the pay-per-view headliner. “I think Dustin does him, knocks him out.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“I think the things that Makhachev does wrong, the things he’s not good at? He fumbles over his feet, usually early on and falls into shots. He’s been knocked out by that back check hook from a southpaw before inside the UFC.

“That’s one of Dustin’s best shots! If Dustin’s ever going to do it, this will be his time. Obviously Dustin does his things bad also that feed into Makhachev’s strengths. But it is all to play for, there is no clear favourite in it.

“Look at Dustin’s last fight, he was getting manhandled by Benoit Saint-Denis and he stayed with it and then caught him. He got back to his feet and landed a shot so that was great experience going into this bout and if there’s ever a chance for him to get it done, this will be it.”