Dustin Poirier calls Conor McGregor UFC trilogy fight 'one of the biggest of all time'

US fighter says third bout with Irishman – with Abu Dhabi again a potential host – 'makes a lot of sense and a lot of money'

Dustin Poirier after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor in a lightweight fight during UFC 257 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, on January 23. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

US fighter Dustin Poirier after his knockout victory over Conor McGregor of Ireland. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier celebrates after beating Conor McGregor. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

UFC president Dana White congraulates Dustin Poirier after his win over Conor McGregor. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor during their fight at UFC 257. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier points at Conor McGregor during the fight. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Conor McGregor lands a punch on Dustin Poirier. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor during the fight. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Conor McGregor ahead of the fight against Dustin Poirier. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

American fighter Michael Chandler punches Dan Hooker of New Zealand in their lightweight fight at UFC 257. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Michael Chandler after his knockout victory over Dan Hooker. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Michael Chandler punches Dan Hooker. Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Dan Hooker punches Michael Chandler during their bout. Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Joanne Calderwood, left, of Scotland after her win over American fighter Jessica following their flyweight bout at UFC 257 . Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Joanne Calderwood of punches Jessica Eye. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Makhmud Muradov of Uzbekistan celebrates after his TKO victory over US fighter Andrew Sanchez in a middleweight bout at UFC 257. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Makhmud Muradov punches Andrew Sanchez. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Makhmud Muradov punches Andrew Sanchez. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Andrew Sanchez punches Makhmud Muradov during their a middleweight fight. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Brazil's Marina Rodriguez after her knockout victory over countrywoman Amanda Ribas in a strawweight fight at UFC 257. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Marina Rodriguez punches Amanda Ribas. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Marina Rodriguez punches Amanda Ribas during their strawweight fight. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Amanda Ribas punches Marina Rodriguez. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dustin Poirier says a trilogy clash with Conor McGregor could be the one of the biggest fights of all time, as their respective teams attempt to strike a deal for the bout.

Poirier, the former lightweight interim champion, defeated McGregor at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi last month, sealing the win at Etihad Arena by second-round TKO to even their rivalry at 1-1. The pair met in 2014, with McGregor prevailing in the first round.

The Irishman, a former two-division world champion, has since said he would like the chance to avenge the loss, something Poirier is also keen on.

Speaking during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience released on Friday, the American said: "Conor wants the trilogy, and I do, too. If they want to do it, let's do it."

Now the lightweight division’s No 1-ranked challenger – champion Khabib Nurmagomedov appears to be committed to his retirement – Poirier said he would ideally like the trilogy for June or July. That may open the door for Abu Dhabi, during a fourth Fight Island series, to potentially host.

Given his position in the division, and his performance against McGregor in the capital, Poirier knows his value when it comes to the negotiating table.

“We’re just trying to get the right deal structured,” he said. “This is going to be a big fight. He knocked me out; I knocked him out; the trilogy. For sure one of the biggest fights this year, but maybe of all time.

“I don’t directly talk to them. They talk to my manager, Rob Roveta. We try to put ourselves in the best position to sit at the table with them and have a legit conversation about getting this fight booked. We’re trying to structure the right deal, and when that happens, the fight will be on. Until then, we’ll see.

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Gallery: McGregor beats Poirier in first fight

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“I think the trilogy makes a lot of sense and a lot of money. So we’re just trying to get the right deal structured and see what the timeframe is. For a guy like Conor, you want fans in there, even if it’s limited.

"Right now at the [UFC] Apex where they’re set up in America, there’s obviously no fans. So where do you do that? And what’s the timeframe?”

While Poirier said the McGregor fight represents priority at the moment, he did not rule out taking on Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title, should Nurmagomedov vacate the crown. Poirier cited a move up to welterweight to face Nate Diaz as a possible next bout, too.

However, he said he did not believe McGregor deserved a shot at the lightweight belt, if that was available.

“No, I don’t think,” Poirier said. “Conor’s been away so long. His last two fights at 155, he’s lost. So you can’t put him in there for a title fight. How could you justify doing that when you have guys like Oliveira?”