Former Conor McGregor opponent victim Dustin Poirier has waxed lyrical about the UFC featherweight champion and the pop he carries in his hands.
The 27-year-old Louisiana native fought McGregor this month two years ago, falling after a minute and 47 seconds of the first round to a left hand which caught him behind the ear.
Speaking on Episode 25 of UFC Unfiltered, Poirier told presenters Jim Norton, Matt Serra and Ray Longo that the Crumlin man possesses the greatest power he has ever faced in a career that has spanned almost a decade:
I learned a lot about myself or about the fight game, just through that experience. But I can't blame it on the weight or the talk. He hit me with a good shot, I tried to circle, I planted my feet and he hit me with another good shot and I went down.
For sure. I've had 33 fights and I gotta say he's...you know, unless it was just the spot, the track record speaks for itself - he's the champ right now. I think he's the hardest hands I've ever felt.
Poirier is currently ranked #7 in the UFC's lightweight division and may well throw down with The Notorious again in future.
Back in July, Poirier told FloCombat of McGregor's mind games:
I remember I was backstage getting ready to walk out and I saw him and he threw this smile and pointed at me. I don't know why but it really got to me, man. It really messed with my head. I mean I'm about to go out and fight this dude and he's back there smiling at me? After that fight I knew I had to find a different way to use my emotion.
Poirier faces Michael Johnson this weekend.
