Dustin Poirier reacts to Conor McGregor return with joke

It doesn’t look like Dustin Poirier will ever let go of his rivalry with Conor McGregor, even though he holds a 2-1 record against him inside the octagon. amunra-online.pl

Their first meeting was back in 2014 when Poirier admitted McGregor got under his skin more than any other opponent had before. It didn’t end well for him though, as McGregor knocked him out early in the fight.

They met again almost seven years later at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. That time, Poirier came out on top, knocking McGregor out in what was a surprisingly respectful build-up.

The third fight at UFC 264 saw the tension return. The build-up was heated and ended with another win for Poirier after McGregor broke his leg checking a kick. The two haven’t reconciled since then.

Poirier makes clear his thoughts on McGregor’s return to the cage

Dustin Poirier didn’t hold back when talking about Conor McGregor’s upcoming comeback during a conversation with Jorge Masvidal, Din Thomas, and Chris Weidman. It’ll be McGregor’s first fight since he broke his leg back in 2021.

Weidman has experienced a similar injury himself and spoke about how tough it can be to return from something like that, saying he hoped the best for the Irishman in his recovery.

Poirier quickly cut in with: “Not me, I hope the worst for him.” He followed up by saying he was only joking, but considering their history – especially after McGregor claimed Poirier’s wife had messaged him privately following their trilogy – it wasn’t exactly shocking.

In January 2024, McGregor tried to smooth things over by congratulating Poirier on Instagram after his wife gave birth to their daughter. But Poirier didn’t seem interested in making peace and made it clear that they aren’t on friendly terms.

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Intermediaries have put forward the name of former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim to Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace are assessing potential candidates to replace Oliver Glasner, who will leave the club at the end of the season. Among a number of options has emerged Amorim, who has been out of work since being sacked at Manchester United in January.

According to TEAMtalk, representatives of the Portuguese coach have expressed interest in the soon-to-be vacant Palace role. Amorim is keen to return to the dugout a rebuild a reputation that has been dented after a tough period at Old Trafford.

The 41-year-old was sacked at Manchester United only 14 months after the Red Devils had agreed to pay Portuguese club Sporting 11m euros (£9.25m) to trigger a release clause in his contract.

He won just 25 of his 63 games in charge, leading to his exit earlier this year. He had previously led Sporting to two Primeira Liga titles, the first ending the club’s 19-year title drought.

Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-2-1 system could heighten his appeal, if Palace are keen for continuity ahead of Glasner’s exit. The Austrian has used a similar system with the Eagles, who won a first-ever major trophy with FA Cup success last season.

Other names in the frame for Palace reportedly include outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Coventry City coach Frank Lampard, former Brentford manager Thomas Frank, and ex-Spurs striker Robbie Keane.

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Alejandro Grimaldo was one of the options considered by FC Barcelona to strengthen the left-back position in the summer transfer window.

Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for Alejandro Balde and reshape that role, with the 22-year-old left-back attracting strong interest from Aston Villa.

Grimaldo, to that end, had emerged as an option for Barça, along with Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus.

Grimaldo moves away from Barcelona

However, according to Sky Germany (h/t SPORT) Grimaldo has already reached a full agreement with Besiktas after receiving a lucrative offer, and negotiations between the clubs have begun.

Grimaldo had already been an option for Barcelona last summer when Gerard Martin was linked with a move to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old ultimately rejected the proposal from Wolves and chose not to consider offers, which halted the Grimaldo operation.

Headed to Besiktas. (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)

This year, the player again made himself available and was seen as a profile that could fit, although he was aware that he was not a priority. Both he and his entourage were open to offers, and the Besiktas proposal appears to have convinced him.

According to the report, the Turkish club’s sporting director, Eduard Graf, personally met with Grimaldo and his representatives in Germany to present their sporting and financial proposal. And the left-back has given his approval.

Grimaldo will have just one year remaining on his contract with Bayer Leverkusen this summer, and his transfer fee could be around €15 million.

This valuation made him an attractive option in the market, and Barcelona had considered him in the event of Balde’s departure.

However, as mentioned earlier, the club are also assessing other options they consider more appealing, such as Cambiaso of Juventus, although no concrete steps have been taken.

• Guardiola describes Guehi and Khusanov as ‘extraordinary’ amid City’s injury woes at centre-back
• City boss insists the future is “bright” after watching both defenders grow considerably this season
• John Stones has recovered from a calf injury while Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias remain sidelined

Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on centre-back pairing Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov, declaring the defensive duo ‘extraordinary’ as Manchester City prepare for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley.

The pair have been thrust into regular action together following a damaging run of injuries in central defence, with Josko Gvardiol sidelined since January with a tibial fracture and Ruben Dias having missed the past several weeks with a hamstring problem.

Despite the disruption, City have conceded just once in their last four games, a defensive record that Guardiola is clearly attributing in no small part to the performances of two acquisitions from the last 15 months.

Marc Guehi: Manchester City’s future captain?

Marc Guehi joined from Crystal Palace for £20 million in January and has been a composed and commanding presence at the heart of City’s backline since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, while Abdukodir Khusanov has grown considerably since his £33.5 million arrival from RC Lens in January 2025.

Guardiola: The future will be bright

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Turf Moor, Guardiola was fulsome in his praise for both defenders while also acknowledging the broader picture of an injury-ravaged defensive unit finding its feet.

“Extraordinary. Like Nathan (Ake) when he played the final of the Carabao Cup, he was maybe one of the best players on the pitch. Jonny’s (John Stones) coming back. Unfortunately Josko (Gvardiol) and Ruben (Dias) have been injured,” he said.

“But of course, in the last games Marc (Guehi) and Khusa (Khusanov). When I said weeks ago, the team, the future will be bright because I see young, young players, they grew up a lot that season and will be for the next year, many, many years there and that is really good for us.”

The reference to Nathan Ake is a reminder that City’s defensive depth, even in the face of significant absentees, has proven more than capable of rising to the occasion.

Ake’s display in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley was one of the performances of his City career – and Guardiola’s bracketing of Guehi and Khusanov alongside him speaks to a genuine belief in what this defensive unit can offer.

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What does Guardiola’s praise mean for City’s future?

Guardiola’s assertion that the future is ‘bright’ carries considerable weight in the context of a summer that will bring significant change throughout the squad.

Bernardo Silva has already confirmed his departure and Rodri‘s contract future remains unresolved, but the emergence of Guehi and Khusanov as reliable, high-calibre starters provides director of football Hugo Viana with a platform of genuine defensive stability to build from.

John Stones has recovered from the calf injury sustained during the international break, which will give Guardiola welcome additional options at the heart of defence in the defining weeks of the season.

With six Premier League games remaining and the title race now separated by just three points, every clean sheet between now and the final day could prove decisive.