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In just a few days’ time Conor McGregor returns to the UFC cage to take on lightweight rival Dustin Poirier in a sequel to their 2014 fight which took place during the Irishman’s ascent to featherweight gold. 

This time around, the stakes are different but equally high. McGregor, who has been preparing incessantly for this fight, intends to display a significant body of work in 2021 — something which could lead him towards contests in both MMA and boxing — but how do his fellow UFC fighters assess him ahead of Saturday night’s return to action?

JOANNE CALDERWOOD (fighting Jessica Eye at UFC 257)

“I just feel like Conor in his mindset can do anything. He can beat the world. I like that about him. He’s in that mindset right now. I love Dustin but I’m with Conor in this one.

MATT FREVOLA (fighting Ottman Azaitar at UFC 257)

“It’s going to be a great fight. It’s definitely going to be different from the first time they fought. I like both guys, you know? I’m a fan of McGregor’s — he’s great for the sport. The first UFC event I ever went to was McGregor against Siver in Boston back in the day. I was 1-0 as a pro back then. I was watching that fight just feeling the energy that McGregor brings with all the Irish fans and now I’m fighting on a McGregor card, so it’s pretty cool.

MICHAEL CHANDLER (fighting Dan Hooker at UFC 257)

“Both are interesting scenarios. You can only have so many of those wars that Dustin has been in, you know? I think Conor just keeps getting better. Yeah he had a year off but he also finished ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in 40 seconds, so he’s only spent 40 seconds in the Octagon in the last maybe two years but I think Conor conducts himself for the most part like a champion.

“When it comes to buckling down and training, not to mention the fact that you see the pictures, you see the training videos, you see the hype, you hear the interviews. He’s on a different wavelength of seeing this opportunity … Conor is motivated, a year off doesn’t do anything bad for him.”