UFC Targets Ferguson Vs. Poirier For October Fight

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

An amazing scrap that could determine the next challenger for the 155 pound UFC title is in the works for October.

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard any news about Tony Ferguson. Following his shocking loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May of 2020, the wildman took a bit of time out of the spotlight after an extended fight camp that involved two weight cuts (because Tony gonna Tony).

At the end of July he resurfaced to declare himself ready to restart the climb back up to a lightweight title shot.

“You want to give me Conor, you give me Conor,” he told ESPN. “You want to give me Poirier, we’ll make it happen, and then we’ll fight for the winner of the Gaethje and Khabib fight. I would love to compete against Khabib, Poirier, McGregor. Those are the three right there. Why? Talent-wise, that’s why. Not because of any other ways or means. Because of the talent and the athletic respect that I have for their talent that they have in this sport.”

And now it sounds like the UFC is giving him option B: Dustin Poirier.

Following UFC on ESPN 15, Dana White responded to a question regarding Ferguson’s next opponent being Poirier with a smile and “Probably.”

And now MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin is confirming the fight is in the works:

Dustin Poirier just fended off tough challenger Dan Hooker at the end of June, but he sounds down to scrap, making a play on his and Ferguson’s nicknames on Twitter.

As for Ferguson, he hasn’t made any comment on the bout since it became public knowledge … probably because he’s too buys ground n’ pound breakdancing with his practice dummy.

Once again, this leaves Conor McGregor out in the cold and further away from a shot at the lightweight title than ever. Earlier this month current 155 pound champ Khabib Nurmagomedov stated he’d be willing to fight McGregor again … if he defeated a top contender like Dustin Poirier. But Conor is currently spending his time training for a 180km water wheeler challenge with the Princess of Monaco to raise awareness for water safety.

Yeah.

Dana White recently said Conor McGregor wouldn’t fight in the UFC again in 2020 and it’s certainly looking like that’s true. But for us hardcores, who really cares when the promotion is lining up killer bouts like Poirier vs. Ferguson?