Conor McGregor urged to take Nate Diaz fight ahead of Dustin Poirier trilogy clash by UFC rival Kevin Lee
CONOR MCGREGOR’s should avoid a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier and face Nate Diaz next, UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee believes.
A rubber match between the former featherweight rivals, who clashed last month in the main event of UFC 257, is in the works for the summer.
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But Lee reckons McGregor is making a mistake by taking an immediate rematch with The Diamond and would be better off facing fellow fan favourite Diaz in a series decider.
He told MMA Junkie: “I think it makes sense for (McGregor) to go fight (Diaz) I know they’re talking about him and Poirier again, but that would be stupid, even on his end.
“I don’t think a lot of people come back from being knocked out and then in an immediate rematch get to win it.
“And it’s like, ‘Come on.’ Can we stop giving the guy so many, I mean, he gets a lot of benefits. He gets to call all his fights and avenge losses right away.
“I’ve had to wait to fight Tony Ferguson three years, really it be four years by the time I fight him, and he gets to do it right away.
“Go ahead, give him Nate Diaz, and then by the end of the year, then me and him can get it on. That sounds good to me.”
McGregor, 32, suffered a second-round TKO loss in his long-awaited return to the lightweight division, which he hadn’t graced in over two years.
Former interim 155lb king Poirier took away The Notorious’ movement with devastating leg and calf kicks before dropping him with a big right hand and closing the show with two academic strikes.
McGregor is relishing a third fight with the pride of Louisiana and insists he’ll be better prepared for his debilitating calf kicks when they next meet.
Ireland’s first UFC champion wrote on Instagram: “What a trilogy I now have on my hands. Exciting!
“With a handle on the leg kicks I will get back to having fun in there. I was in second gear cruising this fight. Best condition I’ve ever been in.
“After the wrestling and clinch exchanges, my shots still held their pop. First time for me with this so I am very encouraged to keep going.
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“It was the first time I did not use/nor need the stool between rounds also. I did need the stool after though that’s for sure.
“I am extremely happy I did not need to use the stool between rounds here anyway.
“Another first for me! I am most certainly on the right path. Despite the loss I am on the correct path of evolution.”
He added: “One a piece now with a trilogy bout for all the marbles! Wow! Exciting!
“Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be.
“This is exactly how this was always meant to be! Buzzing!!”