Conor McGregor hit with six-month suspension after KO defeat by Dustin Poirier

**Jan 23, 2021; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Conor McGregor of Ireland punches Dustin Poirier in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island.** [Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports]

Conor McGregor must serve a six-month medical suspension after he was knocked out by Dustin Poirier.

McGregor was stopped in the second round following a relentless onslaught from his rival at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi.

The Irishman was issued with a mandatory 45-day suspension for his defeat and a 180-day suspension due to the leg injury he suffered.

He can, however, be cleared earlier by a doctor with a negative X-Ray of his tibia/fibula.

And McGregor's coach John Kavanagh has already claimed the former two-weight world champion completed a workout on Monday and wants a rematch with Poirier in May.

**Jan 23, 2021; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor of Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island.** [Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports]

"He's already harassing everybody to get the rematch; he'd love the rematch and I don't think Dustin is against that," Kavanagh told ESPN.

McGregor had predicted victory inside 60 seconds in his rematch with Poirier following his one-sided triumph seven years earlier.

But despite edging the first round on Sunday morning, he was soon in trouble as Poirier attacked his lead leg.

With his movement severely limited, McGregor became easy to hit and found himself backed up.

Poirier dropped him to the canvas and landed a final flurry of blows before referee Herb Dean stepped in.

McGregor, who limped out of the cage and later needed crutches, lamented his lack of activity as he returned to the cage following a 12-month lay-off.

"It's heart-breaking and hard to take," he said. "My leg is completely dead. It's like an American football in my suit at the minute.

"If you put in the time in here, you're going to get cosy in here and I just have to dust it off and come back and that's what I will do. I need activity, you don't get away with being inactive in this business.

"As long as you stay active and as long as you compete, things shape around you. You show up, you reap the rewards. That's what happened for Dustin and it's what's happened against me.

"I'll keep my eyes on the prize. Don't write me off yet, I'll make my adjustments and keep moving. I'll go back, get healthy and I'll re-prepare. I've got to a great place in my body physically and I'll continue to grow that."

McGregor has previously said he will return to training within days of his fight with Poirier.

He took his yacht from Abu Dhabi to Dubai after his fight where he remains with his team as he decides his next move.

His coach John Kavanagh said: "We are going to pick ourselves up and figure out some of the technical issues that went against us on the night, get back up on the horse and go again.