Conor McGregor's 'kiss of death' is enough to score a quick-fire knockout against Dustin Poirier, MMA coach says

• Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier headline UFC 257 on Fight Island on Saturday.
• Insider spoke to a prominent MMA trainer Tyson Chartier and two fighters Calvin Kattar and Rob Font to ask who will win, and how.
• Chartier said the "kiss of death" that McGregor has in his notorious left hand will decide the bout.
• Font countered by saying if Poirier can evade the shots early, he'll begin to favor a decision win.

FIGHT ISLAND - Conor McGregor's "kiss of death" left hand power punch is so deadly it will decide his UFC 257 lightweight match Saturday against Dustin Poirier at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

That's according to the MMA trainer Tyson Chartier, who has been on Fight Island this month with two of his athletes - the No.5-ranked bantamweight Rob Font, and Calvin Kattar, who got dominated by Max Holloway earlier this year.

"I'm picking Conor," Chartier told Insider recently. "He's calling the shot on this one. Generally, you're calling someone out because you want to get them [and know you can beat them]. That gives you a mental edge."

The 155-pound showdown is a rematch from a 2014 featherweight fight that McGregor won speedily inside of a round.

Though both have improved since then, McGregor's signature strike will knock Poirier down, Chartier told us.

"They've both made strides since their last fight, but what it comes down to is Conor has that kiss of death in his left hand, and Dustin does get hit in fights. I don't think you can get hit against Conor."

Font disagreed with his coach and said if Poirier can survive an early onslaught, then he would become the favorite to win in a five-round, 25-minute distance fight.

"I'm pulling for Poirier," Font told us. "I want him to win. I want him to get that [title] shot.

"If he wins, it'll be by a decision. The key is staying away from the left hand in the first two rounds, maybe squeak it out. Conor then fades toward the end. I'm going for Poirier."

Kattar refused to be drawn into deciding a winner.

"If Conor can do what he said and finish him in 60 seconds with that kiss of death … you gotta tip your hat, man," the fighter said.

"If he doesn't, the longer it goes, Poirier will start favoring the win the later it goes."

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