Dustin Poirier's knockout win against Conor McGregor was 'a perfect showing,' according to Eddie Alvarez

• Former UFC champ Eddie Alvarez hailed Dustin Poirier's "perfect showing" against Conor McGregor.
• Poirier's calf kicks were so merciless McGregor was left needing crutches to walk.
• Alvarez warned McGregor that those calf kicks will return in the prospective trilogy bout.

Dustin Poirier's knockout win against Conor McGregor in January was "a perfect showing," Eddie Alvarez told Insider.

Poirier lashed leg kicks at McGregor during a competitive first round at the Etihad Arena on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, before a shellacking of strikes against the fence in the second, in a stunning knockout win.

It took a while for McGregor to regain his composure after being separated from his senses. Still, once he came to, he was seen limping around the canvas and even hobbled to the post-event press conference using crutches.

Poirier knew McGregor would end up in a bad way because, as he told reporters at the time, calf kicks are so horrible.

Despite the defeat, the Irish striker is determined to force an immediate rematch for a trilogy bout - and hopes to have the UFC lightweight championship on the line.

But Alvarez has warned that those calf kicks that caused so much damage earlier this year will be back if they ever share an Octagon again.

"I thought if the fight stayed the distance, Conor would be able to do his thing, keep his lines, range, and I believe he's the faster fighter, quicker guy, but when you look at them kicks … they're going to come again if they fight again.

"Even if Conor wants to stay out of range and play where he can fight best, Dustin is going to throw them kicks and smash them kicks. It's going to be interesting, and it's a lot more even a match-up than it's ever been."

Poirier is a different animal at lightweight, according to Alvarez

McGregor and Poirier first fought in 2014, colliding at UFC 178 in a featherweight (145-pound) match.

The 2021 battle, though, was contested within the confines of the 155-pound lightweight division, where Poirier is far more comfortable as he was before, Alvarez said.

"The first fight was so long ago, right, and it was at a different weight class," Alvarez told us. "Poirier is not a small 55er; he's a big 55er. So, to be able to cut to 45, for him, that's exhausting.

"I think at 45, he wasn't his best self, and at 55, he has a proven track record, still has his power, has his feet, and puts guys away.

"And I think it was a whole different fight in itself, and it showed.

"Along with that, implementing his cornerman's calf kick strategy, taking away Conor McGregor's left hand was genius - I thought it was a great strategy.

"It's one thing to say that and know you should kick the leg; it's another thing to execute it. And Dustin went out there, calm, focused, and executed the plan. It was a perfect showing."

Alvarez left the UFC for One Championship shortly after his own match against Poirier.

He is currently 1-1 in the Singapore-based organization and hopes a victory over Iuri Lapicus on April 7 is a springboard to a 170-pound title shot against Christian Lee in 2021.