Dustin Poirier senses that the UFC lightweight division could remain in limbo until late 2019, and he isn’t about the situation.
While reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov could theoretically fight as soon as April, the Dagestani fighter is reportedly unhappy with the one-year suspensions the Nevada Athletic Commission handed to Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov for their roles in the UFC 229 post-fight melee.
In addition to boycotting events held in Las Vegas, Nurmagomedov will not fight until his teammate’s suspensions end on Oct. 6.
Poirier, who has lost just once in 10 lightweight appearances to establish himself as one of the division’s top contenders, doesn’t want to wait that long for things to unfold. Instead, he is seeking a fight with either Tony Ferguson or Conor McGregor.
“It’s gotta be Tony or Conor or we redo my contract,” Poirier wrote on Twitter. “Otherwise I’m not fighting. This company is [No. 1 bulls—t].
“At this point if you don’t respect the body of work I put in, I don’t respect you.”
It’s gotta be Tony or Conor or we redo my contract. Otherwise I’m not fighting. This company is #1 bullshit
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 30, 2019
At this point if you dont respect the body of work I put in. I don’t respect you.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 30, 2019
Poirier’s last three victories have been especially impressive, as he has finished Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje and Anthony Pettis. Ferguson is the former interim champion and generally regarded as the No. 1 contender at 155 pounds. McGregor, meanwhile, returned to the Octagon for the first time in nearly two years at UFC 229, losing to Nurmagomedov via fourth-round submission. However, the Irish superstar could be eyeing a fight with Donald Cerrone for his next UFC appearance.