There’s no hesitation from interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier when asked deserves to fight him next if he upsets Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“One hundred percent it’s Tony Ferguson without a second guess,” Poirier said Tuesday on a conference call supporting his title unifier against lightweight champ Nurmagomedov at UFC 242, which takes place Sept. 7 at The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. “Without any bargaining, it’s Tony Ferguson. No doubt.”
Poirier (25-5 MMA, 17-4 UFC) clarified he’s in no position to make that demand right now. But if he’s calling the shots, former interim champ Ferguson gets the undisputed shot he’s long coveted.
“Honestly, I don’t think about that type of stuff, because Khabib is all I can focus on right now,” Poirier said. “I can’t disrespect the work that needs to be done Sept. 7.”
This is not the first time Poirier has held the door open for his lightweight colleague. After a UFC 230 headliner opposite Nate Diaz fell apart, he told MMA Junkie that Ferguson deserved the first shot at Nurmagomedov and also welcomed a fight if there were any holdups in the division.
Ferguson reportedly was the originally scheduled opponent for the interim title fight that wound up going to Poirier, who captured his first UFC belt by beating Max Holloway at UFC 236. Ferguson had held out for a fight with Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC), but later agreed to come back to face perennial contender Donald Cerrone.
After a triumphant return, Ferguson said he’d gladly step up if Poirier couldn’t make UFC 242. Poirier said his camp for next month’s event has been the hardest of his career, but he said he’s ready to unify the belt.
UFC president Dana White has said he’ll wait to see the results of the title fight before making any decisions about what comes next in the lightweight division. But he’s also said he assumes Ferguson is next.
