LAS VEGAS – If the demand is there for a Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz fight, then UFC president Dana White said he’s down to make it happen.
In the aftermath of Poirier’s (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC) lightweight title loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 this month, the narrative has quickly shifted into a grudge match with Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) that was originally supposed to happen in November 2018.
Both fighters have expressed interest in the matchup on social media, and even said they would be willing to do it as soon as Jan. 22 at UFC 270 in Anaheim, Calif.
That might be too soon to strike a deal, especially with Diaz on the final bout of his current UFC contract. However, it appears White is content to give both athletes what they want.
“If that’s a fight that they want and the fans want to see, we’ll do it,” White told MMA Junkie at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 199 post-fight news conference at the UFC Apex.
Poirier has said repeatedly he’s interested in moving up to welterweight at some point in his career. The matchup with Diaz would likely be the one where he would make his divisional debut, and Poirier said he already agreed for the bout to happen at UFC 271 in February.
“The Diamond” has said he’s ready to scrap soon and he’s genuinely excited by that matchup with the fellow fan favorite, now it’s just a matter of finalizing the details and securing a date and location.
Dana White down for Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz: ‘We’ll do it’ if fans, fighters want it
