Khabib Nurmagomedov mocks Conor McGregor after Dustin Poirier accuses UFC foe of ‘ghosting’ $500000 payment promise to his charity
The feelgood subplot of UFC 257, when Conor McGregor publicly pledged $500,000 to Dustin Poirier's charity, has backfired after the American accused his victim of "ghosting" him for months over the promised donation.
Poirier didn't rise to McGregor's bold statement at the weekend, when he predicted he would win their trilogy fight this summer in the fourth round via a front kick to the nose, adding that his rival's "nose needs straightening".
'The Diamond' didn't waste an opportunity to question his opponent's character, though.
"That's a fun prediction," retorted Poirier, who runs The Good Fight Group to support underserved communities and the needy.
Sportsmanship at its best 👏 Conor McGregor's team donated to opponent Dustin Poirier's 'The Good Fight Foundation', a charity helping underserved communities, ahead of #UFC257. pic.twitter.com/DX0I7VoTxk
— Religion of Sports (@religionofsport) January 23, 2021
"'The Notorious', you also predicted a donation to my foundation and you and your team stopped responding after the fight in January. See you soon. July 10th, paid in full."
When one punter accused him of merely trying to promote their main event at UFC 264 and pointed out that Poirier's team appeared to have previously thanked McGregor for his donation, the New Orleans native clarified his comments.
"We thanked him because his team reached out during fight week to initiate the process but ghosted us the past two months after the fight," Poirier wrote.
"My foundation has reached out three times since with no reply. We've moved past it. We will be announcing our next goal soon. It's a big one."
That's a fun prediction! @TheNotoriousMMA you also predicted a donation to my foundation and you and your team stopped responding after the fight in January. See you soon. July 10th Paid In Full!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 11, 2021
We thanked him because his team reached out fight week to initiate the process but ghosted us the past 2 months after the fight. My foundation has reached out 3 times since with no reply. We've moved past it! We will be announcing our next goal soon! Its a big one🙏 https://t.co/mtiOFBsd2q
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 12, 2021
A few hours later, McGregor finally showed up to defend himself.
"A donation, not a debt," the 32-year-old began.
"We’ve been awaiting the plans for the money that never came. I do [that] with all my donations. [To] know where it’s going dot for dot. Otherwise it goes walking, as is the case with a lot of these foundations, sadly."
McGregor then confusingly linked the saga to Poirier's agreement over the rematch, saying: "You took the McG over the belt – shows I was right."
A donation, not a debt. We’ve been awaiting the plans for the money that never came. I do with all my donations. Know where it’s going dot for dot. Otherwise it goes walking. As is the case with a lot of these foundations, sadly. You took the McG over the belt shows I was right.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 12, 2021
A former opponent of the pair, retired lightweight great Khabib Nurmagomedov, chipped in to take a potshot at McGregor amid the furore.
Alongside a laughing smiley and an open hand, the 29-0 legend posted a video of a group of men where one of them says: "Did I give you all a word? I'm taking it back".
"How badass would it be if Khabib just decided to send Dustin the money Conor promised?" pondered one journalist in reply.
How badass would it be if Khabib just decided to send Dustin the money Conor promised? Hahaha
— sameera khan (@SameeraKhan) April 12, 2021
Conor McGregor on why he hasn’t given the money he said he would to Dustin Poirier’s Charity pic.twitter.com/nuREqj3Ib9
— MMA Humour 🥊💥 (@UFCFightHub) April 12, 2021
A fan called McGregor "low as f**k" for not backing up his pledges, while another called the situation "hugely disappointing".
"Mate, you promised money to charity," they added. "They had plans with that money that had to be canceled once you didn't deliver.
"You said you'd give the money to a reputable source and didn't. This is terrible."
Nodding to the demolition job Poirier did on McGregor in January, another asked: "So you’re going back on your word since you got knocked the f*ck out?"
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