Dustin Poirier: “A fight with me makes a lot of sense” for Conor McGregor
If Conor McGregor is really interested in returning to fight in the UFC, Dustin Poirier believes he’s the opponent that makes sense for the former two-division champion. Recently, McGregor took to social media to challenge Poirier to a charity exhibition match, which Poirier accepted, which was then followed by UFC President Dana White saying he’s made an offer to both fighters to compete under the UFC banner. This week, Poirier made an appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast and discussed why a fight with him makes the most sense for his former opponent, Conor McGregor.
When asked what is happening between a possible fight between himself and McGregor, Dustin Poirier told Unfiltered that he truly has no idea what is happening, adding that he hasn’t heard from anyone regarding negotiations about the fight.
“I don’t really know, honestly, what’s going on with the whole situation. Of course I would take the fight. I would fight him. I would fight Tony [Ferguson]. I just want big fights and I think that’s what’s coming. I haven’t heard back from negotiation side of the UFC or Conor, but it’s a new week and I’m hoping to hear something.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
After losing to his bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October of 2018, McGregor has made it known not only does he want a rematch with the current undefeated lightweight champion, but he wants the lightweight title back too. With those aspirations in mind for McGregor, Poirier believes he is the best suitable opponent for “The Notorious” to get back to where he wants to be.
“Look at it from his side, for sure there’s some upside there. Khabib said if him or Tony beat me that he would give them a shot at the title, so if that holds any weight, he’s looking at that. I don’t know what his ambition is, I don’t know how hungry he is to be the UFC lightweight world champion. If it is, a fight with me makes a lot of sense to get the next title shot.”
As it seems McGregor and the UFC continue to go back-and-forth about him returning to fight again, after he once again retired this summer, Dustin Poirier seems more than willing to run back a rematch with McGregor, if he chooses to fight again. McGregor beat Poirier when the two were competing in the featherweight division back in 2014.
