Dustin Poirier already has shown he is not the same fighter who was stopped in the first round against Conor McGregor six years ago. But the former interim lightweight champion also concedes his legacy likely depends on winning the rematch against the foe who handed him his most devastating defeat. The second-ranked Poirier gets that chance on Saturday in a rematch against McGregor at UFC 257. The main UFC 257 fight card featuring Poirier vs. McGregor 2 is set for 10 p.m. ET from Fight Island.

McGregor is a -340 favorite (risk $340 to win $100), while Poirier is a +275 underdog in the latest Poirier vs. McGregor 2 odds from William Hill Sportsbook. In the UFC 257 co-main event, Dan Hooker (-125) takes on former Bellator champion Michael Chandler (+105) in another battle of lightweight contenders. Before settling any UFC 257 picks of your own, make sure you see what SportsLine MMA expert Brandon Wise has to say. 

Wise has been profitable for six consecutive years with his MMA picks and last year he started offering his UFC main card picks to SportsLine members. Those who have followed his UFC bets have seen massive returns.

Since the UFC returned in 2020 following a period of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wise has gone 64-35-2 while nailing the method of victory 46 times. He finished 2020 with a flourish, going 4-0-1 on the main card of UFC 256 while nailing the method of victory three times. One of his double-winners included telling SportsLine members to back underdog Charles Oliveira (+145) against Tony Ferguson in the lightweight co-main event. Anyone who has consistently followed Wise is way up. 

Now, with UFC 257 fast approaching, Wise has carefully studied every main-card matchup and released his selections. Those UFC 257 picks are available at SportsLine.

Poirier vs. McGregor expert preview

Wise knows the main event features two of the sport's most gifted fighters, even if "The Notorious" one is better known to the public because of his massive global popularity. The analyst also knows MMA observers would be mistaken to underestimate Poirier, who has quietly become one of the UFC's most successful fighters since his first meeting with McGregor. 

McGregor is known as much for his larger-than-life disposition and trash talking as he is for his fighting chops, though the latter can't be disputed. He is just one of four two-division champions in UFC history, while his only losses in the promotion came in splitting a pair of epic battles with Nate Diaz and at the hands of the undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

The bold Irishman had numerous prolonged absences from the Octagon while he pursued a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather and other business interests. Last year in his only UFC appearance, he dismantled fellow fan favorite Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in 41 seconds without absorbing a single blow. 

It's unlikely he will duplicate that performance against Poirier, who, along with constantly showing an improving skill set, has also become known for his rugged resiliency against dangerous opponents like Justin Gaethje, whom he stopped in the fourth round of their memorable April 2018 bout. You can only see who Wise is backing here.

Top UFC 257 predictions

We'll share one of Wise's UFC 257 main-card picks here: He is siding with Jessica Eye (+105) to upset Joanne Calderwood (-125) in a matchup of women's flyweight contenders.

Eye (15-8-1), 34, is a former title-challenger who is known for her boxing skills, pressure and resilience. She had won three straight fights before being stopped in her 2018 title bout against champion Valentina Shevchenko. The Las Vegas-based fighter has split two bouts since and is coming off a five-round decision loss against Cynthia Calvillo in a UFC Fight Night main event last June.

Calderwood (14-5) is an accomplished fighter in a variety of disciplines and has emerged as a contender with wins in four of her last six fights against upper-tier competition. The 34-year-old Scottish fighter lost her only UFC appearance in 2020, a decision to Jennifer Maia in August.

"Eye tends to grind out these types of bouts and get decision wins. She's 4-2 since returning to 125 pounds, with only one of those fights ending in a stoppage. Calderwood is rising, but she hasn't done anything at the elite level to earn being favored here," Wise told SportsLine.

How to make UFC 257 picks

Wise also has strong picks for Poirier vs. McGregor 2 and every other bout on the main UFC 257 card. He's also backing one fighter to take control early and come away with an epic submission. Those selections are only available here. 

Who wins Poirier vs. McGregor 2? And how exactly does each main-card fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every main-card fight at UFC 257, all from the accomplished expert who has been profitable for six straight years, and find out.

UFC 257 odds, main card

Conor McGregor (-340) vs. Dustin Poirier (+275)
Dan Hooker (-125) vs. Michael Chandler (+105)
Joanne Calderwood (-125) vs. Jessica Eye (+105)
Ottman Azaitar (-165) vs. Matt Frevola (+145)
Amanda Ribas (-320) vs. Marina Rodriguez (+260)