Dustin Poirier slams ‘dirtbag’ Conor McGregor – but defends quitter tag after UFC 329 injury

Jul 13, 2026 - 20:15

Dustin Poirier has ripped into Conor McGregor following his nightmare return against Max Holloway at UFC 329.

But Poirier, the last man to fight McGregor before Holloway, fired back at criticism of his former foe being a quitter due to his shock knee injury that abruptly ended his comeback fight.

Conor McGregor of Ireland strikes Max Holloway in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — McGregor threw a wild kick at the very start of his comeback fight at UFC 329

Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts to an injury in a welterweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada — He never recovered from the awkward landing and the bout was waved off moments later

McGregor injured himself seconds into his UFC 329 main event against Holloway last weekend and described the moment as ‘hell’ in a social media statement after the bout.

The Irishman has since confirmed he will require surgery but still intends to make another recovery, just like the aftermath of his previous UFC appearance against Poirier, to make potentially one final return.

It will be a long road back if McGregor is to make another comeback in the future.

But for Poirier, who defeated McGregor twice in 2021, having also lost to ‘The Notorious’ in a 2014 clash at UFC 178, the injury was fitting for how he views his old rival.

Poirier hits out at ‘dirtbag’ McGregor

“I thought: it couldn’t happen to a better guy,” Poirier, who has also made headlines over the last month, having been arrested over Father’s Day in June, explained to the Deep Waters crew via UFC on Paramount+.

“That injury couldn’t happen to a better guy. I saw earlier this week, he said, ‘Karma’s a mirror,’ and it definitely is.

“This guy’s a dirtbag, and I don’t know if it was nervous energy, [but] I don’t know why you would start a fight like that.

“They were saying it was planned to start the fight like that, training to open the fight with this jump kick.

“But I just don’t understand why you would do that. That’s a Hail Mary. You’re throwing a Hail Mary to start a 25-minute fight.

“I don’t understand what was going on with that.”

Conor McGregor battles Dustin Poirier in their lightweight bout during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States — McGregor also injured his leg when he fought Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021

Despite Poirier’s ruthless comments on the situation, he defended criticisms of McGregor being a quitter and any speculation of the Irish star having a pre-existing injury when speaking to Teddy Atlas.

Some MMA fans believe McGregor was injured going into the fight — something McGregor has denied — but opted to continue to get a massive payday with little work required.

After all, McGregor vs Holloway 2 had already generated the highest gate in UFC history before the event began.

McGregor not a quitter, says Poirier

“I’ve had a lot of time with Conor over the past 12 years,” Poirier explained.

“I just don’t think he’s a quitter like that — I don’t know if that’s possible for him.

“If he wanted a built-in excuse, a storyline that’s already written itself, and he can blame it on his leg, do something dumb, I don’t know if he’s that type of guy.

“I say a lot of bad stuff about him, but a quitter I’m not sure. He’s a real competitor and wants to win.

“And I doubted he needed the money. It’s not like he said, ‘Well, I have to go through this and get into this ring with this injury because I need the money. This is the only way.’

“The guy’s got money, so it wasn’t like he was showing up for a paycheck.

“I really don’t understand what went on. I have no clue.”

McGregor said prior to UFC 329 that the final fight of his contract had already been agreed to take place in April 2027.

UFC Schedule

There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.

The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.

On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.

With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.