Dustin Poirier why I WON'T fight Michael Chandler for the title

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gives every indication of being retired, lending credence to family friend Ramazan Rabadanov’s statement that the Eagle is trying to hold out until the can pass the belt on to teammate Islam Makhachev. That means in all likelihood two fighters will vie for the vacant title sometime soon. After UFC 257’s spectacular performances of Dustin Poirier over Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler over Daniel Hooker, an obvious choice would be “The Diamond” vs. “Iron”.

However, at the post-fight press conference, Poirier shut that down, hard.

I can guarantee I won’t be fighting Michael Chandler, said Poirier. They can do whatever they want with the division. I don’t really care. If something makes sense, then we’ll do it.

I’ve just been putting in work. That’s why I’m sitting here feeling like I can talk about it, because I’ve been in the division and the UFC for a long time, fighting the best of the best of the best. No disrespect to [Chandler], he seems like a good husband, a good father, he speaks well, has a lot of respect, carries himself very well. It’s not a knock against him. It’s just my feelings toward the division and the sport. I lost to Khabib, I came out and put on a ‘Fight of the Year’ [vs . Hooker] for you guys, got my hand raised against a top-five opponent after that. Then I come in there and Khabib doesn’t want to come back, then I knock out one of the biggest fights you can get. I knock this guy out, too.

Khabib reiterates he doesn’t want to fight any more – dude, I’m the champ. I’m not going to fight, some – and like I said, respect to Chandler – a new guy to the UFC who just beat a guy that’s coming off a loss that I just beat for the belt. That’s not exciting to me.

I think [Charles Oliveira] has more [of a case]. I’ve been watching that guy for 10 years in the UFC, two different weight classes. He’s fought the best of the best, over and over again. And, he’s been knocked down and gotten up, and he’s proven what MMA and perseverance is. I respect that. Not that I don’t respect Michael Chandler. I just think there’s more work for him to do than beat a guy I just beat.

A rematch with Conor interests me. Always wanted to whip Nate Diaz’s ass. That interests me. In fighting, I’m sure something will make sense. But just right now, I don’t … me and Conor are one and one. Nate Diaz got away and likes to talk a lot of s*** online. I just gotta go back home and we’ll see.

UG, who do you think should fight for the belt if Khabib is not just MMA Retired, but retired? And who’s next for McGregor?