Frustrated by his inability to get a fight with the UFC, Conor McGregor has taken it upon himself to play matchmaker – by verbally agreeing a mixed martial arts bout with Dustin Poirier for December.
McGregor, who announced his retirement from the sport in June, has for the past few days been involved in a public spat with UFC president Dana White, off the back of the Irishman releasing private messages between the pair regarding potential fights. White responded by describing the move as "one of the dirtiest things you can do".
So, with an impasse with the UFC developing again, McGregor seemingly took it upon himself on Tuesday morning to find his next opponent.
Taking to social media, the former two-division champion sent a message to top-ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier asking to get together in a fight for charity on December 12.
McGregor wrote: “Hey bro! You want to do an MMA charity fight? Zero to do with the UFC. I will donate half a [million] towards your charity for it. Sell it on [pay-per-view] or work a TV deal and we work out other charities that are close to my heart also. I am engaged in many. Strictly a charity 'exhibition'.
“December 12th in the Point Depot, Ireland. No weigh-ins. Open weight, unified rules. I will arrange all travel fare for you and family. McGregor Sports and Entertainment MMA, in association with The Good Fight Foundation. Charity Mixed Martial Arts!”
Replying to the invite, Poirier wrote: “I’m in! Lets do it! A lot of people will benefit from this.”
Poirier’s philanthropy is well known, with the former lightweight interim-champion doing plenty of charity work alongside his wife Jolie through The Good Fight Foundation.
Last year, the American used his unification bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi to raise money to build water wells for an orphanage in Uganda. McGregor, meanwhile, does significant work for causes in his native Ireland.
I'm in! Lets do it! A lot of people will benefit from this @TheGoodFightFDN https://t.co/Hy0ZlPFyFv
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 29, 2020
On seeing Poirier’s willingness to take him up on his offer, McGregor replied: “Excellent! We shall take it offline and progress the process from here. Good man Dustin! I respect your philanthropic efforts greatly, as well as how you conducted yourself post our first fight. You have my respect!”
The duo met previously at featherweight at UFC 178 in 2014, with McGregor winning by first-round TKO.
However, although both fighters have agreed to the bout, a major stumbling block in getting it done remains the UFC. McGregor and Poirier are contracted to the promotion, which prevents them from competing outside the organisation unless given permission. The UFC is highly unlikely to release either, even if it is for charity.
McGregor, 32, has not fought since his 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone in January, and is currently also in negotiations for a crossover fight with boxing's Manny Pacquiao. Poirier, who defeated Dan Hooker by unanimous decision in June, tried recently to get a fight made with Tony Ferguson at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi next month. The UFC did not reportedly meet his demands.
