'Get ready for war': Conor McGregor v Dustin Poirier promo hypes up UFC 257 – with Abu Dhabi expected to host

Rematch in January is reportedly set to take place as part of a third Fight Island stint in the UAE capital

Conor McGregor celebrates his first round TKO victory againt Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. AFP

Conor McGregor celebrates his win against Donald Cerrone. Reuters

Conor McGregor reacts following his first round TKO victory against Donald Cerrone. Reuters

Boxer Tyson Fury watched on from cage side. AFP

Conor McGregor pins Donald Cerrone against the cage. Reuters

Conor McGregor lands a kick against Donald Cerrone. Reuters

Conor McGregor is introduced before fighting Donald Cerrone. Reuters

Donald Cerrone is introduced before fighting Conor McGregor. Reuters

Conor McGregor before his fight against Donald Cerrone. Reuters

Conor McGregor moves in for a knee hit against Donald Cerrone. Reuters

Conor McGregor lands a kick to the face of Donald Cerrone. Reuters

MMA Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 246 - Welterweight - Conor McGregor v Donald Cerrone - T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States - January 18, 2020 Conor McGregor enters the arena before his fight against Donald Cerrone REUTERS/Mike Blake

MMA Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 246 - Welterweight - Conor McGregor v Donald Cerrone - T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States - January 18, 2020 Conor McGregor with Jerry Cerrone, grandmother of Donald Cerrone after the fight REUTERS/Mike Blake

MMA Mixed Martial Arts - UFC 246 - Welterweight - Conor McGregor v Donald Cerrone - T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States - January 18, 2020 Conor McGregor before his fight against Donald Cerrone REUTERS/Mike Blake

Just as their final pay-per-view event of an unprecedented 2020 was coming to a close, the UFC dropped the promotional video for its next - with Abu Dhabi likely to play host.

Next month's UFC 257 marks Conor McGregor's much-anticipated return to the octagon, in his rematch with Dustin Poirier scheduled for January 23. Although the location is yet to be confirmed, the UFC are targeting a third Fight Island stint in the UAE capital in the space of six months, with the promotion's president Dana White aiming for three events across a week beginning on January 16.

In the promo released during UFC 256 on Sunday, entitled “Get ready for war”, the action leaned heavily on McGregor’s first meeting with Poirier, at UFC 178 in 2014. Taking place at featherweight – they are to meet this time at lightweight – the Irishman put the exclamation mark on an ill-tempered build-up by dispatching Poirier in Las Vegas by first-round TKO.

Going on to become the first male athlete to hold two UFC belts simultaneously, McGregor has not fought since last January, when he defeated Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds. He then announced his retirement from the sport in the summer.

Audie Attar, McGregor's manager, told The National last week that his client was working towards his comeback taking place in Abu Dhabi, saying that the 32-year-old was in the "best shape I've ever seen".

Speaking at Sunday's UFC 256 post-fight press conference, White said there was no better way to kick off 2021 than with McGregor’s return.

The UFC 257 headline bout is considered by many a title eliminator for the lightweight title, which is still held by Khabib Nurmagomedov despite the undefeated champion himself retiring in October.

In Sunday's co-main event in Las Vegas, Charles Oliveira dominated Tony Ferguson to win by unanimous decision and leap into contention for a championship bout.

However, White said nothing would be decided in the division until he meets with Nurmagomedov next month – with that get-together also slated for Abu Dhabi.

“It actually all lines up perfectly,” White said. “Conor’s going to fight that same week with Poirier. We’re talking about [lightweight contender Michael] Chandler fighting [at UFC 257], this fight happened tonight, and then I meet with Khabib next month and we figure out what’s going on.”

Poirier, a former interim champion, has fought in Abu Dhabi before, at UFC 242 in September last year. He was beaten by Nurmagomedov by third-round submission, but rebounded in June, with victory against Dan Hooker.