One of the most-anticipated fights at UFC 178 is a three-round featherweight bout between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. According to the current betting lines available at Several Bookmakers, McGregor is a -265 favorite (bet $265 to win $100) while Poirier is a +225 underdog (bet $100 to win $225). MMA linesetter Nick Kalikas opened up McGregor at -170 and Poirier at +130, and the betting public is all over McGregor in this one. I agree that McGregor should be the rightful favorite here and I’m picking him to win this fight. Here’s why. McGregor (15-2) could become the next No. 1 contender in the UFC featherweight division with a win over Poirier at UFC 178. The 25-year-old Irishman is 3-0 so far in the UFC with knockout wins over Diego Brandao and Marcus Brimage and a decision win over Max Holloway. One of the most charismatic fighters in the game, McGregor not only walks the walk but he also talks the talk as he’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the game to watch. Overall he is riding a 10-fight win streak and he looks like a future title contender. While in the past McGregor has shown flaws in his submission defence and defensive grappling, he’s improved his wrestling throughout the years and if he’s able to keep his fights on the feet, he’s one of the biggest hitters in the division and with his reach he’s so hard to get hit. I believe McGregor is the next big star in MMA and the UFC is giving him a favorable matchup here against Poirier, and with a win in impressive fashion – which I expect happens – look for the UFC to start hyping him as the next title challenger. Poirier (16-3) is one of the top-10 featherweights in MMA. The 25-year-old American is 8-2 in MMA with wins over Akira Corassani, Diego Brandao, Erik Koch, Jonathan Brookins, Max Holloway, Pablo Garza, Jason Young and Josh Grispi, with his lone losses coming to top-ranked Cub Swanson and Chan Sung Jung. Poirier, who trains at American Top Team, is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division. His BJJ game is absolutely lethal, on the feet he’s got improving striking and knockout power, and his wrestling overall is solid enough to the point where he’s able to dictate where most of his fights take place. He has shown some flaws in his defensive wrestling and in his striking defence, but so far his flaws haven’t cost him too many fights save for the matchups against Swanson and Jung. Poirier is a great fighter but going up against a guy like McGregor who should have the offensive wrestling edge and an edge in knockout power on the feet, the young American could be in trouble and that’s why he’s the underdog heading into this fight. I believe McGregor is going to keep this fight standing, hurt Poirier on the feet, and either outstrike him en route to a decision or knock him out on the feet. I believe a knockout is more likely here, so I am picking McGregor to win the fight by T/KO and earn a UFC featherweight title shot against the winner of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes. At -265 I think there is value on McGregor as a favorite here in a parlay as I think he wins this fight in impressive fashion as he continues his ascent to superstardom in the world of sports.
