Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor have shared the octagon three times and while there's plenty of mutual respect, that doesn't mean Poirier is above taking shots at his longtime rival.
MMA
Dustin Poirier reacts to ‘dirtbag’ Conor McGregor suffering injury at UFC 329
Published
1 month agoon
McGregor headlined UFC 329 this past Saturday against Max Holloway, but his first fight in five years ended in massive disappointment as he suffered a leg injury that forced the bout to be stopped 69 seconds into Round 1. Fans hoping to see a glimpse of McGregor's past greatness could only watch in shock as the former two-division champion went down barely having a chance to fight.
Poirier was asked for his thoughts on the contest on the Deep Waters podcast and he didn't hold back.
“It couldn't have happened to a better guy,†Poirier said. “That injury couldn't happen to a better guy. I saw earlier this week, he said, ‘Karma's a mirror' and it definitely is. This guy's a dirtbag.
“I don't know if it was nervous energy, I don't know why you would start a fight like that, they're saying this was planned to start the fight like that. There's footage of him training to open the fight with this jump kick, but I just don't understand why you would do that. That's like a Hail Mary. You're starting a Hail Mary to start a 25-minute fight. I don't understand what was going on with that.â€
Poirier's “karma†comment refers to McGregor's appearance on the Smash Cast podcast, where he passed judgment on Poirier's recent arrest for public drunkenness. The fighters also have a longer history of animosity, having fought three times, with Poirier winning the past two meetings. After McGregor broke his leg in their trilogy bout at UFC 264 in July 2021, he could be heard shouting death threats at Poirier and hurling insults at Poirier's wife Jolie.
On THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, Poirier carried a different energy, sounding less celebratory when it came to McGregor's injury, and going as far as to defend McGregor when asked if he felt “Notorious†decided to throw caution to the wind because he had a pre-existing health condition.
“If that was the scenario and he knew he was injured and he just said, ‘It's either me or him the first minute, somebody's going to fall, I'm going to just go out there and get in his face and throw until one of us goes down,' wouldn't you do it with punches?†Poirier said. “Why would you do it with an injured weapon?â€
“I've just had a lot of time with Conor over the past 12 years and I just don't think he's a quitter like that. I don't know if that's possible with him. If he wanted a built-in excuse, a storyline that's already wrote itself and he can blame it on his leg, do something dumb, I don't know if he's that type of guy. I'll say a lot of bad stuff about him, but a quitter, I'm not sure. He's a real competitor and wants to win and I doubt he needed the money. It's not like he said, ‘Well, I have to go through this and get into the ring with this injury because I need the money, this is the only way.' The guy's got money. It wasn't like he was showing up for a paycheck. I really don't understand what went on. I have no clue.â€
Poirier did question McGregor's preparation for his long-awaited comeback. During the five years McGregor was away from competition, he appeared to make fighting a secondary concern and he has admitted to having issues with substance abuse. He disclosed the use of cocaine during testimony for a civil suit in which he was eventually found liable for sexual assault in November 2024.
McGregor's vices may have caught up to him from a physical standpoint.
“Definitely he looked bloated,†Poirier said. “I thought his face looked a little shiny, under his eyes looked a little full, his cheeks looked full. That could be because he's been living an unhealthy lifestyle. Also, he is fighting up at welterweight, that's 15 pounds heavier than his normal weight class at 155, but I don't feel like 15 pounds would make your face that bloated. I don't know what's going on. His body looked fit, his face looked unhealthy.â€
“When you don't live the healthiest lifestyle, your body is more susceptible to injuries,†he added. “It weakens everything when you live an unhealthy lifestyle, so that could have been part of it as well. The shiny, swollen face could have been telling us the whole time this guy's coming into this not at 100 percent.â€
On Monday, McGregor released a statement announcing his plans to undergo surgery and then compete in the final fight of his UFC contract. Should McGregor become a free agent, it's unclear what his next move would be, but Poirier hopes he maintains some level of integrity when it comes to his bookings.
“He's a once-in-a-lifetime type of individual and while he's still competing, people are going to want to see him compete in person,†Poirier said. “So I think he's going to always have a bit of that, but it's just he has to ask himself what is he doing? He's almost 40 years old. He's been out five years. If his knee is blown out, that's another year.
“With the record-breaking career he's had, I would just hate to see him be a freakshow fighter like that and only come out for these exhibitions. I don't want to see that, that's not real fighting to me.â€
Though the exact nature of McGregor's injury is unclear, another lengthy layoff could be ahead of him as the soon-to-be 38-year-old fighter already has a reputation for inactivity. Saturday's clash with Holloway marked just the ninth fight for McGregor in the past decade, including a crossover boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. McGregor hasn't won a fight since 2020.
Poirier echoed the concerns of many critics who have questioned whether McGregor's enormous financial success prevents him from ever being the dominant fighter he once was.
“That's the big question because when you have the built-in safety net of the money you've made and the career you've had, there had to be a point throughout this five years when he's planning this comeback that he looks in the mirror and asks himself, ‘What the hell am I doing? Why am I doing this?'†Poirier said. “He's a smart guy, he had to be honest with himself at some point in the last five years or at some point in this training camp and said, ‘What am I doing?'
“I believe the answer to that is he's addicted to the limelight. He's addicted to people talking about him. He's addicted to being in headlines. I don't know if he's addicted to the fight itself anymore, that's the big question. Is he addicted to the fight itself? If he is, then he'll find a way to put himself in a grimy gym and do that old school work that nobody wants to do. Wake up and run those miles. Push yourself to go places you don't want to go. It's a lot harder to do it when you don't have to anymore, you know?â€
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MMA
Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez full fight video highlights
Published
9 hours agoon
August 23, 2026
Watch Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez full fight video highlights from their main event showdown Saturday night, courtesy of multiple outlets.
Rolly vs. Teofimo took place Aug. 22 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Rolly Romero (17-3) and Teofimo Lopez (23-2) squared off in the main event clash. The fight aired live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Official result: Teofimo Lopez def. Rolly Romero via Majority Decision (114-114, 115-113, 116-112)
Catch all the video highlights below.
For more on Romero vs. Lopez, check out the live blog below.
Both men out in orthodox. Lopes swatting Romero's lead hand immediately. Long range from both men, putting out feelers. Neither committing to anything early, and both backing out when their opponent swings. Lopez on the front foot more, but neither man has landed a meaningful punch with 60 seconds left.
Romero is trying to set up a roll and counter, and Lopez is being cautious as he starts backing Romero up. Romero tries to come in and eats a counter right hand for his troubles, then he follows up with a right hand just before the bell, and that's enough to steal the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez.
Both men punching the others' lead hand now. Romero doesn't look comfortable in there and Lopez moving him back comfortably now. Romero trying to back him off by showing the counters, but Lopez growing in confidence, and lands a nice right hand.
Lopez being aggressive and lands to the body as Romero misses the counter shot. And another. Lopez dipping to the body and Romero's big counter shots have yet to land. So he leads to the body and it lands. But Lopez is working consistently now, and again a right hand to the body. Then gets Romero to the ropes and again. Romero looks slower in there and he's waiting too much. Nice right hand from Romero on the counter, but the left misses and Lopez again lands to the body.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 20-28 Lopez overall.
Romero really wants the counter left hook, and he's probably focused too much on it. Lopez is keeping his right hand high, and he's working both levels confidently. Lopez lands a sharp right on the counter. When Romero does lead, Lopez is ready to respond. And he keeps going to the body.
Now Romero is trying to take the initiative with long shots to the body, but they seem a little awkward. He just doesn't look very comfortable in there. And he's biting on feints, every time. Romero does land a decent right hand when Lopez gets too deep on his pressure, but he can't follow up. Another body jab and now our first clinch. It's short and Lopez presses forward to steal the round, and a body shot might do just that.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 30-27 Lopez overall.
Lopez with a night 1-1-2 to start. Romero still looks uncomfortable as Lopez methodically walks him down. Romero lands a decent right hand, and then a left. He's really not committing to these shots though, he tags and bails. Lopez tries to come in but they clinch. Now Lopez gets to the body. He's fighting a very disciplined fight, working with the jab and then to the body.
OH! Romero finally gets that counter left hook off and it lands cleanly. Lopez takes it well, but that's the shot Romero has been looking for all night and he finally gets it. And then gets a nice body shot shortly afterward. His lack of activity is costing him, but perhaps Romero can build off that.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Romero, 39-37 Lopez overall
On the replay, Lopez actually was able to slip off that left hand more than it appeared. Still Romero's best punch of the fight, but Lopez mitigated it decently well.
Lopez back on the march with a three piece. He's fighting very smart, winning rounds, and keeping his defense up, and if Romero doesn't change the energy, he's going to lose a lackluster fight. He gets a pair of left hands off this round and Lopes is cut over the right eye! Now the crowd is coming alive and Romero is gaining in confidence. He smells blood!
And OH! Romero swinging away as Lopez is in survival mode! Lopez goes down but it's a push. They get back up and Romero is on the hunt. Lopez tries to get aggressive back and eats another but he backs Romero up a bit and makes it to the end of the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Romero, 48-47 Lopez overall.
Lopez has his wits about him in the corner as his corner tells him he was playing around too much. Cut appears to be small but just over the right eye. We'll see how the cutman did as the round goes on.
Lopez comes out taking the lead and the crowd is chanting ‘Rol-ly!' but he's not taking the lead. And Lopez digs a nice one to the ribs as Romero keeps backing away, drawing him in. He is not punching almost at all right now and Lopez comes in aggressively but Romero blocks most of it. Romero not doing much and letting Lopez simply out-work him this round. Lopez getting a little reckless almost as he tries to chase Romero down, who is fully retreating.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 58-58 Lopez overall.
Lopez back to pressing and jabbing and Romero is back to doing nothing. Can't imagine a worse way to follow up the big round he had in the fifth. And now Lopez tags him with the right. And then another. Romero very much looks like he doesn't want to commit to anything. And Lopez is just coming forward and working, while Romero kind of circles and moves away. Romero tries to sit down and crack back, but Lopez gets the better and moves out.
Romero is simply not fighting. This is very frustrating to watch as Lopez starts getting after him and then eats a big check hook just at the bell that gets a reaction. Romero could be doing better, but he's not trying.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 68-65 Lopez overall.
Romero is going to lose this fight by simply not doing enough. He's landing a few decent shots per round, but basically those are the only punches he's throwing. Lopez with a nice pair of body shots off a dip. The dynamic is simple, Lopez is working and Romero is not. And Lopez lands a nice left hook around the guard. Romero's face looks straight up confused. He's not moving away at least, but still not punching.
I don't know how many more ways to write “Lopez is coming foward and punching, landing occasionally, while Romero is doing nothing.†Now Romero comes forward and tries to lead, but Lopez counters him nimbly. Tough scenes for Romero. We get a brief clinch then more jousting.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 78-74 Lopez overall.
Romero on the front foot now, and that's a nice change. But will he throw? He's waiting for the perfect shot, and those are few and far between. Lopez with steady diet of jabs and then right hands to the body. The crowd is getting a little restless as the pace has slowed and the action is minimal. Lopez keeps chipping in, and Romero keeps doing nothing.
Lopez is not exactly putting on an offensive display here, but Romero is simply doing nothing. I'd love to see his stats because he's maybe landed 5 punches this round and thrown twice that. Meanwhile, Lopez has kept working.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 88-83 Lopez overall.
Romero is showing zero reaction in his corner. They are trying to bring him to life, and he seems to be out in space. Maybe he just doesn't want to fight his friend?
Lopez doesn't mind, and he's out and working. Romero actually getting his jab off right now, and that's something. But he's not throwing the right now. Jab, move, stare. This is a glorified sparring session. Lopez keeps working and Romero has turned that jab up. But he needs power shots, and Lopez keeps working.
And OH! BIG right hand from Lopez over the top! That gets Romero running away! Lopez's best shot of the night and he's retreating! Romero seems OK, but that had some power on it, and Lopez gaining confidence. He's on the attack to close the round and Romero is backing up, looking for a clinch to end the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 98-92 Lopez overall.
Lopez is going to win this fight. Romero does not seem engaged, and so long as Lopez doesn't get too crazy, he's going to be a three-weight world champion.
Lopez not getting too crazy out there. Romero with a hook but misses. Lopez with the jab. Romero coming forward and shaking his arms out, but not throwing the punches he needs. Romero FINALLY swings and it's a Chuck Liddel overhand that whiffs hard. But then he lands a good body shot as Lopez comes forward. Lopez keeps coming forward and Romero is bouncing around, giving ground, but Lopez isn't giving him the big opening.
Lopez lands a big right hand over the top and Romero tries to respond but misses. Lopez pops him a few more times and Romero has to clinch. And just before the round ends Lopez dives forward with a right hand that lands clean, and Romero counters, beckoning a slugfest on. Maybe this last round will be wild.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 108-101 Lopez overall.
There is essentially no world where Romero doesn't need a finish. He's gotta get wild in here, and maybe they'll just throw down for the final three?
Nope. At least not to start. Romero on his bike and Lopez walking him down. Neither man opening up, but Lopez lands a decent right hand. And again to the body from Lopez. He's chopping wood out there. Romero spamming check left hooks to no effect. Lopez keeps working. Disciplined performance from Lopez who is out-working Romero this round, too. Romero waiting and Lopez charges in, pushing Romero to the ropes. Romero simply refuses to open up, and he's gonna lose his belt on the cards. In fact, at the 10 second mark, Romero is sprinting away from him.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lopez, 118-110 Lopez overall.
MMA
Austin McBroom scores terrifying knockout over Faze Temper in Brand Risk 15 main event
Published
9 hours agoon
August 23, 2026
Austin McBroom delivered one of the scariest knockouts in recent history after he demolished Faze Temper with a single punch the end the Brand Risk 15 main event on Saturday.
Both fighters showed confidence as they exchanged on the feet with McBroom all smiles as he set up his punches with Temperrr using his length and size to his advantage. Time and again, the fighters were just tempting fate as they stepped into the exchanges without showing much defense.
That strategy backfired in a major way when both McBroom and Temperrr stepped into the pocket and they threw with fight-finishing intentions.
But only McBroom landed this time as he uncorked a hellacious left hand that landed directly on the button and Faze Temperrr went down on a heap on the canvas. The reaction from the commentary team and the crowd told the whole story as just about everybody involved got scared for a moment on whether or not Faze Temperrr was actually going to make it off the canvas.
It was a jaw-dropping knockout delivered by McBroom to cap off the Brand Risk 15 main event. The card was so interesting that even UFC CEO Dana White got caught on camera watching the show while the UFC Sacramento card was happening at the same time. Bryce Hall could be next for McBroom at a future Brand Risk show.
MMA
PFL Tampa results: Cris Cyborg defends title in hard-fought battle, sends message to Claressa Shields, Kayla Harrison
Published
9 hours agoon
August 23, 2026
Cris Cyborg defended her PFL featherweight title against Ketlen Vieira—who was ineligible to win the title due to missing weight by seven pounds—in the main event of PFL Tampa, which went down Saturday night in Florida, and appears to be far from done in combat sports.
Early on, Cyborg attacked Vieira with jabs to the body, but had a hard time finding the distance to even secure a takedown against her heavier opponent. Cyborg hurt Vieira with a calf kick in Round 2, but the Nova União fighter fired back to rock her late in the round.
Cyborg entered Round 3 focused on takedowns, scoring points with heavy ground-and-pound while Vieira tried to close guard and threaten with armbars. Vieira's success on the feet made Cyborg once again clinch and go for takedowns, but Vieira countered a takedown with a judo throw to leave Cyborg bloodied with ground-and-pound of her own.
The final stanza began and Cyborg scored a takedown early, but Vieira quickly got back to her feet and then took the champion down. Cyborg only managed to get back up with 90 seconds left on the clock, and from that point on they traded blows until the final horn sounded.
Cyborg and Vieira combined for 308 strikes over five rounds of action at Benchmark International Arena, and all three judges scored it for Cyborg (49-46, 48-47, 49-46). The longtime veteran now enters free agency with a 30-2 record and a 10-fight win streak, and is now undefeated for nearly eight years.
Post-fight, Cyborg called Vieira “a big test†and said she's “ready for anybody, anytime, any weight.†The former UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, and Invicta FC featherweight queen called out boxing great Claressa Shields and sent a message to UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison after getting her hand raised in Tampa.
First, Cyborg told Shields to “eat less†and make 160 pounds for a boxing clash, and then took a shot at Harrison, a former PFL champion who attended the event Saturday to cheer for her American Top Team teammates.
“Kayla Harrison is here? Come here,†Cyborg said. “Kayla, you've been running for so long. You ran from PFL from me, now you're coming to watch my fight? I'm ready for you. I hope you heal your neck and you go challenge Amanda Nunes. I'm here.â€
In the co-main event, PFL newcomer Tracy Reeder stepped in as a short-notice replacement against top lightweight contender Gadzhi Rabadanov, but he was no match for the former PFL tournament winner.
Rabadanov kept the PFL debutant away with jabs on the feet until Reeder shot for a takedown from a mile away. Rabadanov easily ended up on top position, and from there he patiently used his ground-and-pound to hurt Reeder and secure the TKO late in the opening round.
Also on the main card, multiple-time amateur MMA champion Sabrinna de Sousa scored the biggest win of her pro MMA career by topping one-time UFC flyweight title challenger Taila Santos via unanimous decision. Luke Trainer opened the main card with a nasty front kick knockout over Roland Dunlap.
Watch Trainer's finish below, and click here for full PFL Tampa results.
Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez full fight video highlights
Austin McBroom scores terrifying knockout over Faze Temper in Brand Risk 15 main event
PFL Tampa results: Cris Cyborg defends title in hard-fought battle, sends message to Claressa Shields, Kayla Harrison
Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez full fight video highlights
Austin McBroom scores terrifying knockout over Faze Temper in Brand Risk 15 main event
PFL Tampa results: Cris Cyborg defends title in hard-fought battle, sends message to Claressa Shields, Kayla Harrison
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