Tony Ferguson, Al Iaquinta and others react to Holloway vs. Poirier interim title fight at UFC 236

The MMA community largely was caught off-guard Friday when the UFC booked an interim lightweight title bout for UFC 236 between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.

After Poirier (24-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC) beat Holloway (20-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) at UFC 143 in February 2012, the pair will run it back on April 13 in Atlanta. Holloway, the current UFC featherweight champ, will move up a division to fight Poirier for the interim belt while champ Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC) sits on the sidelines for the majority of the year.

It was an unexpected fight announcement for most, especially with the likes of Tony Ferguson (24-3 MMA, 14-1 UFC), Al Iaquinta (14-4-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and others feeling like they deserve the opportunity.

For more, check below for the top Twitter reactions to the Holloway vs. Poirier fight announcement for UFC 236.

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— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2019

This was at my first UFC fight. It was against Dustin Porier. My career started by being finished. Becoming champion was not easy for me but the instructions were clear. I had to just… https://t.co/3gUMBrXzC0

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 22, 2019

I can make 145

— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 23, 2019

Naaaaachhhhhhhooooooooo! pic.twitter.com/pzEM9braox

— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 23, 2019

“It’s a rat race… but I’m not a rat I’m a ninja turtle” 😂 poor Tony #snapjitsu

— A1 Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) February 23, 2019

I’m super pumped for @ALIAQUINTA vs @tonyfergusonXT

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 23, 2019

I truly don’t think anybody gives max trouble at this point but khabib, he’s lookin phenomenal in there as of late. I see a tko over porier round 3 ish

— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 23, 2019

More questions now: Why did it have to be someone vs Holloway? Why wasn't Ferguson-Poirier or another LW the fight to make? https://t.co/nYKWnejl9w

— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) February 23, 2019

Im the interim champ of beer drinking. Next stop champ champ interim interim

— Jake Heun (@JakeHeun) February 23, 2019

@BlessedMMA eats poirier as an appetizer https://t.co/uvLjlw3zko

— Joe Joe Giannetti 💀 (@Giannettimma) February 23, 2019

@seanshelby @danawhite if not Nashville how about the @ufc 236 card in Atlanta. I was born there and grew up most of my life in Georgia. I could definitely bring a crowd to the arena! #LetMeBangBro #KillerB #UFC #MMA #UFC236 #ATL #Atlanta #GA #Georgia #DSGB pic.twitter.com/CJ1UfjqRbR

— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisUFC) February 23, 2019

@BlessedMMA will finish Poirier 3rd round TKO. You heard it here first #ChampChamp

— Martin Day (@MartinDay_) February 23, 2019

Please guys I don’t wanna hear shit about @TonyFergusonXT anymore he turned Down fight with Max to get a chance to fight @TeamKhabib for the title in September now we understand he don’t want the smoke WTF 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) February 23, 2019

My immediate reaction to the Holloway vs. Poirier interim lightweight title rematch at UFC 236. https://t.co/7Jg21TcuSb pic.twitter.com/YXIwYs3L1E

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) February 23, 2019

For more on UFC 236, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.