Conor McGregor says trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 'off' after donation dispute


Steve Luckings
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Irishman Conor McGregor has told Dustin Poirier that their third fight slated for July 10 is "off" after an expletive-laden exchange on social media over a $500,000 donation to the American's charity.

Former two-weight UFC champion McGregor said earlier this month that a third fight was booked with Poirier as he aimed to avenge a second-round TKO suffered at the hands of his opponent at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi in January.

But McGregor was not happy when Poirier said the Irishman had not made good on a promise to donate to his charity before their second fight in the UAE.

"A donation, not a debt. We've been awaiting the plans for the money that never came," McGregor said in one of the more family-friendly replies.

"500k with no plan in place," he added. "The fight is off... I'm going to fight someone else on the 10th."

Poirier replied by saying McGregor's team "never responded" to emails explaining where the funds would go.

January's lightweight bout in Abu Dhabi was noted for its amicable build-up, during which McGregor was decidedly less confrontational, although no less ostentatious, than he had been before previous high-profile fights.

McGregor, 32, has not won a UFC contest since January 2020 and came out of retirement to face Poirier again after winning the first meeting in September 2014.

The trilogy fight is due to take place at UFC 264, with the organisation's president Dana White reportedly keen to stage the event in Las Vegas.

In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn 

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IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.