Talk about Conor McGregor getting an immediate rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov has never truly, gone away. But, Dana White says that Dustin Poirier will indeed, challenge the undefeated lightweight champ later this year.
Although Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor at UFC 229, and despite the fact the champ has repeatedly argued his rival doesn’t deserve an immediate rematch, there’s still been talk it could happen. The argument being that it would generate more money than other fights Khabib could take.
But, following Poirier’s win over Max Holloway at UFC 236, which delivered him the interim title, White said this (quotes via MMA Fighting):
“Yes, that’s the fight,” White said. “Poirier will fight Khabib next. Probably in September.”
“This was his fight,” White said. while referring to the former interim champ, Ferguson. “This was supposed to be him and Max tonight, this was his fight. He turned it down. And we made it very clear that the winner of this fight, just like Israel and Kelvin, would fight for the title.
“Unless something happens to Dustin Poirier, he gets hurt or gets injured or something happens, he’s got the fight.”
So, if you like your MMA with some meritocratic boundaries, then this is welcome news. Sure, Ferguson won the interim belt and didn’t fight Khabib next ultimately. But, McGregor hadn’t lost the 155 title in the cage before facing Nurmagomedov.
Now it will be interesting to see who McGregor faces next. Could it end up being Ferguson in a title shot eliminator? Or possibly Justin Gaethje?
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