Conor McGregor arrives on Fight Island in a yacht as he prepares to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Andrew Walker
Updated on April 07, 2026
Conor McGregor arrived on Fight Island in style.
The Irishman made his way to Abu Dhabi on a private yacht on Monday afternoon ahead of his showdown with Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.
McGregor, 32, shared snaps on board the boat as he relaxed with his top off and soaked up the sunshine alongside his coach John Kavanagh.
8
8
8
Having taken in the rays at sea, a still shirtless McGregor then transferred to a Rolls Royce on land.
He was joined by his son and partner Dee Devlin as he entered the fighters' hotel.
McGregor looks to be in the shape of his life as he returns to the octagon for the first time since his win over Donald Cerrone last January.
He announced his retirement for a third time in 2020 but is now back in business and ready to make his mark on the UFC again.
8
8
Things will really kick into gear now with McGregor expected to deliver his usual pre-fight fireworks at Thursday's press conference and then the ceremonial weigh-in on Friday.
The last time he and Poirier shared a hotel, in 2014 ahead of their first fight, McGregor set about unnerving his next opponent as soon as the fight was signed.
Taking aim at his chin, his upbringing and even the size of his head, the Irishman ran down Poirier with vicious verbal barbs that have become his trademark in UFC, as many others will attest to, including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jose Aldo.
It worked incredibly well for McGregor, with cameras capturing Poirier telling coach Mike Brown he ‘had never disliked someone that much’ before a fight.
8
8
8
The Notorious watched the UFC Embedded footage back some 24 hours later and was understandably hysterical to learn he was beginning to break his opponent already. Ultimately, he scored a first round knockout victory.
He told the camera crew in his hotel room, ‘I hope he likes me after I whoop his ass’ before duly delivering a first round knockout.
Dan Hooker, who fights in the co-main event against decorated newcomer Michael Chandler, says he wants to avoid McGregor's wrath at the press conference.
He told MMA Junkie: “You’ve got to be on your toes. You don’t want to get ‘Who the f*** is that guy’ or something like that. He could chuck you in the can in one line.”
Inside Dustin Poirier's luxurious hotel suite on Fight Island as UFC lightweight prepares to take on Conor McGregor at UFC 257
