Dustin Poirier looks across the octagon after knocking out Conor McGregor at UFC 257.
Dustin Poirier wants a title but also willing to ‘step back and just watch’
Fresh off his UFC 257 win over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier was riding high. He is now one of the best lightweight fighters in the UFC and the self-proclaimed “uncrowned champ.” So what is next for Poirier? Many believe that he should be fighting for a title his next time out. With champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov retired the championship belt is in limbo right now. There are some contenders at the top of the division including Poirier. The others being Justin Gaejthe, Michael Chandler, and Charles Oliveria. Following the win in Abu Dhabi, Poirier stated he wasn’t interested in the Chandler fight.
“I’ve got a target on my back,” Poirier told MMAJunkie.com. “(I’m a former) interim world champion, I just knocked out Conor McGregor, and now I’m No. 1 and the only person above me, (Khabib Nurmagomedov), might never fight again. People want to climb that ladder, and in order to do that, you’ve got to beat the guys at the top. You’ve got to beat the next guys in line, so I understand why the target is on my back, and I wear it proudly.”
Perhaps Poirier will take on the other challengers like Oliveria instead, but it seems the UFC is pushing for Chandler to get that title shot. He is only one win into the UFC since making to move over from Bellator, and Poirier thinks he needs to prove himself a little better. If the UFC wants to push that shot on Chandler and ride his wave, Poirier is willing to sit back and wait.
“I want to be the world champion, and Charles is a guy that’s paid his dues,” Poirier said. “He’s earned where he’s at, no doubt about it. Let him and Chandler fight for the belt. If they want Chandler in there for the title, and he’s calling for the title, let them fight for the belt. I’ll take a step back and just watch.”
Maybe Poirier will look for another “money fight” and step in against Nate Diaz who has been calling for him.
