Conor McGregor is facing a much stronger Dustin Poirier than the one he comprehensively defeated in 2014, according to UFC legend Chael Sonnen.
And ahead of their rematch at UFC 257 next month, Sonnen believes that Poirier can win the fight.
The pair met during McGregor's rise to stardom as the Dubliner downed 'The Diamond' in the first round at Las Vegas before going on to become a two weight UFC champion.
But six years later, Sonnen reckons Poirier is no longer a diamond in the rough and more the finished article this time around.
Sonnen told Podcast One: "If you go back and look at it the pure boxing of that night versus today, Dustin today would get rid of that Dustin faster than Conor did. So I think it is a very different match.
"Conor does have a speed advantage on opponents, so it might behoove Dustin to mix it up a little bit, particularly early, and get his hands on him... not just trade with him.
"But even if we are left with the trade-in, I will at least maintain for you that Dustin is much better today than he was then."
However, Justin Gaethje is looking forward to seeing his lightweight rivals clash - and he's eying a fight with the winner.
The American is coming off a loss to newly retired champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and is backing McGregor to get the win next month.
The Dubliner is taking on 'The Diamond' in a rematch of their 2014 collision during Mcgregor's rise to stardom.
Gaethje told Helen Yee : "This is two really high-level fighters. Conor's really good. I do see him probably winning.
"I don't know. It'll be interesting to see if Dustin rises to the occasion."
Their bout six years ago took place in the featherweight division, and Gaethje doesn't think the added ten pounds will have any major bearing on the fight.
"I don't think that's an issue," he added.
"I think what's different is their mindsets because of the places are [in] and the places they've gone since then.
"They're much different people since that fight, both of them. So that'll be interesting to see."
With Gaethje making no secret of his intention to take on the winner, he'll be keeping a close eye on this one.
However, he has previously reiterated his belief that a title challenger needs to come into the fight off a win - so we could well see him in action before a potential big feel fight with McGregor or Poirier.
