UFC 264: Conor McGregor ramps up the trash talk ahead of Dustin Poirier rematch, promises violent end for American

Conor McGregor has turned back the clock in an attempt to revive his mixed martial arts career.

The UFC superstar will fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 on Sunday for the third time, with the pair holding a win each.

McGregor has just one win in his last three fights after going 9-1 in his first 10 UFC bouts.

Included in his recent run of poor form, McGregor was stopped by Poirier in Abu Dhabi in January, floored by knockout in the second round.

The brash Irishman has held back on his infamous pre-fight antics in recent bouts, but has stepped up the trash talk in the build up to Sunday's fight, promising a violent end for his American opponent who he knocked out in a first round romp in 2014. 

After a tense staredown with Poirier at Saturday's weigh-in in Las Vegas, in which UFC president Dana White had to physically separate the two lightweight stars, McGregor ramped up the verbal intensity. 

"In 16 hours time, this man is going to learn that if you disrespect a person's kindness and take that as a weakness, you must pay," McGregor said, staring down Poirier from a distance.

"Tomorrow night, I'm gonna make this man pay with his life and I mean it.

"You're dead in the Octagon tomorrow night Dustin."

UFC 264: Conor McGregor ramps up the trash talk ahead of Dustin Poirier rematch, promises violent end for American
Photo credit: Getty Images

Poirier - who has remained calm in the face of McGregor's verbal barrage all week - stayed true to that on Saturday, promising a repeat of the last time the two met.

"His words mean nothing to me - it's just noise. Tune in tomorrow and you'll see."

The winner of the UFC 264 main event has been guaranteed a lightweight tite shot against champion Charles Oliveira.

Join Newshub from midday Sunday for live updates of UFC 264.