Dustin Poirier: Tony Ferguson fight unlikely to happen at UFC 254

A discussed fight between top lightweight contenders is now being deemed unlikely to happen by one of its competitors.

According to a Thursday report from ESPN, Dustin Poirier says a fight with Tony Ferguson is improbable for UFC 254 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24.

“UFC and I didn’t come to terms,” Poirier said. “I will not be fighting on Oct. 24.  “I just need to be compensated if they want this fight. Simple as that. I’m a (prizefighter) and the prize needs to be right.”

The fight had been previously acknowledged by UFC president Dana White. White even confirmed the date and event were in the promotion’s plans at a post-fight news conference on Aug. 22, saying the bout was “probably” going to happen.

Had it happened on Oct. 24, Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC) vs. Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) would’ve taken place on the same card as its divisional champion. UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov is scheduled to take on Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 main event.

UFC 254 takes place at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card will stream on pay-per-view.

The current UFC 254 lineup includes:

• Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje – for UFC lightweight title
• Jared Cannonier vs. Robert Whittaker
• Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev
• Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
• Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
• Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lauren Murphy
• Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Sergey Morozov
• Sam Alvey vs. Da Un Jung
• Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick