Joe Rogan pulls no punches in assessment of Conor McGregor’s knockout defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

Joe Rogan has blamed inactivity rather than indolence for Conor McGregor’s defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

‘The Notorious’ returned to the octagon last month on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, but was stopped in the second round by Poirier.

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After making a bright start and pedging the first round, McGregor began to unravel as his lead leg was chopped down by ‘The Diamond’, who pounced on the lame Irishman to secure a finish.

In the immediate aftermath of the bout, McGregor admitted his inactivity was the issue behind the defeat as well as Poirier’s improvements.

And Rogan was quick to echo these sentiments, despite Kevin Holland’s claims he needed to take less of a ‘rich person’s approach to fighting.’

“He was still pretty f****** rich when he fought Eddie Alvarez, he was already a multi-millionaire,” he said on his .

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a rich thing. I don’t know if that affects him that much, but I do think it’s inactivity and do I think Dustin got a lot better.”

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Victory not only earned the Louisiana-native his career biggest pay day, but also afforded him plenty more options as he enters his peak years inside the octagon.

After suffering defeat in their first fight back in 2014 at featherweight, the 32-year-old made the requisite adjustments and has since established himself as one of the best lightweights in the world.

Despite the score being settled at 1-1 between the two men, UFC commentator Rogan is unsure if McGregor is capable of making similar changes to his style to avenge his defeat if there is to be a trilogy fight.

“The thing is [McGregor] is heavy on that front leg, [he has a] wide karate stance and he’s always doing this,” Rogan added.

“When that leg is available for the low calf kick that changes everything, changes your whole approach and Conor is also a guy never been known to switch back and forth. He doesn’t like to have his left leg forward, that’s not a common thing for him.

“So, once his leg is getting chewed up, it’s not like he’s got that option, like he can fight just as good from orthodox.

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“At 145, Dustin was depleted and diminished. At 155? He’s f****** huge. He doesn’t even look like a 55er. He looks like a 70, his back is f****** gigantic.

“And look at Dustin’s series of victories; look at the people he beat. He beat the s*** out of Max Holloway. That’s crazy.

“He beat him with what Max Holloway’s best at, which is stand-up. You see what Max Holloway did to Calvin Kattar. Jesus Christ, Max Holloway’s stand-up is amazing.”