Here is the UFC lightweight rankings:
Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
#1 contender and Interim champ Justin Gaethje
#2 Dustin Poirier
#3 Tony Ferguson
#4 Conor McGregor
#5 Dan Hooker
The champ and IC have a unification fight at UFC 254 on 10/24. Conor McGregor is focused on distance bicycling with the princess of an amusement park, whiskey, Manny Pacquiao, getting engaged, Mayweather, a weird wrist watch, and he’s retired, not retired, retired for now; in sum, he’s a non-factor for 2020. Dan Hooker lost to Poirier, who was bouncing back from a trouncing by Nurmagomedov.
The single most obvious fight to make in this sport right now is Dustin Poirier vs. Tony Ferguson, with the winner getting a shot at the winner of Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje. UFC president Dana White said last month that he wants to make that fight. There are indications that it will take place at UFC 254, which is already an insanely great card.
However, during a recent appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, Poirier said he hasn’t been offered the fight, but has started camp for it at ATT headquarters.
When the rumbling started, when they started talking about it, I booked the flight,” said Poirier. “I’m in Florida right now. I just got done with wrestling practice a couple of hours ago. I came to Coconut Creek. We’re eight weeks out this week, so better safe than sorry. Dana knows my number. If we get this fight made, I’m already here, training. If not, I fly back to Louisiana and we’ll see what happens.
I don’t have a contract yet, said Poirier. I saw Dana talking about it. I know that they want it. I know they want it on the same card as Khabib and Gaethje. I’m just waiting. I’m just waiting to talk to them.
The fight is awesome, a perfect four-man tournament with Khabib vs. Justin on one side, and Porrier vs. Ferguson on the other. Poirier was asked about it being the co-main at UFC 254.
For sure, he replied. If they do it on the same night, it’s like a lightweight tournament. First bracket.
Dana White says he wants it. Dustin Poirer is already training for it. That would appear to indicate that if there are any issues, it’s coming from Tony Ferguson.
h/t Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting
