Conor McGregor hit the Abu Dhabi scales at 155 pounds — championship weight at lightweight — despite his anticipated UFC 257 main event vs. Dustin Poirier being non-title and having a threshold of 156 pounds, as the two made their rematch official.
On the eve of their Jan. 23 five-rounder, the duo were in jovial mood for the ceremonial weights. Poirier, who hit 156 pounds bang on the money, broke the Irishman into roars of laughter during their post-scales face-off by producing a bottle of his "Heatonist" Louisiana-style hot sauce and presenting it to McGregor.
It was a far cry from the mood in the run-up to their first fight in 2014, when the two were rising featherweight prospects and exchanged tough-talking barbs before McGregor finished Poirier in the first round.
"It's great to be back here," McGregor said afterwards, still sporting a grin from ear to ear. I'm delighted with the Louisiana hot sauce and I look forward to bringing the hot sauce to the fight tomorrow. I'm excited to be back and you're in for a treat tomorrow.
"I have so many weapons in my arsenal, they are all fine-tuned, I'm in a phenomenal place," he continued. "I look forward to getting out and showcasing them, painting my picture and putting on a beautiful performance for the fans around the world."
Poirier, who is currently ranked above his Fight Island opponent in the lightweight rankings but is the betting underdog, said: "My whole career has aligned me for tomorrow night.
"I'm here to be victorious and have my hand raised by any means necessary. I'm leaving it all out there, let's go."
Elsewhere, UFC new boy Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker both made 156 pounds for their chief support fight in the same division. Fellow main card fighters Jessica Eye and Joanne Calderwood (126 pounds), Marina Rodriguez and Amanda Ribas (116 pounds) and Makhmud Muradov and Andrew Sanchez (186) all made their exact weight requirements for Saturday.
Main card weights in full
- Dustin Poirier (156) vs. Conor McGregor (155)
- Dan Hooker (156) vs. Michael Chandler (156)
- Jessica Eye (126) vs. Joanne Calderwood (126)
- Marina Rodriguez (116) vs. Amanda Ribas (116)
- Makhmud Muradov (186) vs. Andrew Sanchez (186)
Preliminary card weights in full
- Matt Frevola (155.5) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (157)*
- Brad Tavares (185.5) vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (185)
- Sara McMann (135) vs. Julianna Pena (136)
- Khalil Rountree (206)** vs. Marcin Prachnio (205)
Early Prelim weights in full
- Nik Lentz (150) vs. Movsar Evloev (150) - Catchweight
- Amir Albazi (126) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (126)
*A 157-pound catchweight bout between Frevola and Tsarukyan was arranged after their originally scheduled opponents, Ottman Azaitar and Nasrat Haqparast, were taken off of the UFC 257 card. Azaitar was announced as having been removed due to “a recent violation of the health and safety protocols,” while Haqparast failed to show up to weigh-in during the official two-hour window (source: MMA Fighting)