ABU DHABI – Dustin Poirier didn’t enjoy the entire “Fight Island” experience.

The former UFC interim lightweight champion had a tough time in the final two weeks of preparation for his main event against Conor McGregor at UFC 257.

Poirier (27-6 MMA, 19-5 UFC), who stopped McGregor in the second round of their bout this past Saturday, felt confined leading up to the lightweight contest, not being able to go beyond the hotel designated for the UFC fighters in Yas Island.

This was the third installment of events the UFC has held in Abu Dhabi and likely the most restricted. UFC personnel weren’t able to roam the island.

Poirier, who departed two weeks prior to the fight per protocols, said he didn’t enjoy the pre-fight process, and part of it he thinks has to do with “Fight Island.”

“I don’t know, part of it might be from (explicit) spinning my wheels for two weeks sitting in a hotel room,” Poirier told reporters Saturday night. “You couldn’t call this ‘Fight Island.’ This is ‘Fight Hotel.’

“We couldn’t leave the property. I’m sitting here two weeks cutting weight. The furthest I could go was to the workout room. This was like I was in prison in my own mind here.”

Poirier said the feeling translated to the locker room arena Saturday. He said he felt “flat.” However, Poirier was able to turn that feeling around in the fight, putting together one of the best performances of his career.

“Tonight was one of the best (nights) I’ve ever felt,” Poirier said. “I was emotionless. I was an assassin, and I was here to execute. I was locked in and loaded and I felt nothing. I felt very focused. It was a great feeling.

“I didn’t enjoy warming up. I didn’t enjoy the week of sitting in a hotel room for two weeks. But damn, when I let the dog out and perform, I can scrap, man. It feels good, but there was no emotion.”

Poirier is on a two-fight winning streak since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title in September 2019. The American Top Team product wants to focus on his family and business life. Poirier has no specific opponents for his next step but thinks he’s at his very best.

“We’ll see (who’s next). I have so many ass whoopings to hand out, and I’m just putting everything together,” Poirier said. “My body and mind are finally on the same wavelength. I just turned 32 this week, so we’ll see what happens. The only part I liked was the fight these last two weeks. So I don’t know if that answers the question. I didn’t enjoy the process these last two weeks. The only part I liked was fighting.”