Recently Dana White raised eyebrows throughout MMA by saying he thinks the timing is right for Dustin Poirier – Conor McGregor 2. But, the big question is, will it happen? Does the “Notorious” one agree?
McGregor faced Poirier back in 2014, in what was, at the time, his fourth fight with the UFC. The Irish star proceeded to take Poirier out in less than two minutes. Since then, of course, McGregor has gone on to become a massive, massive star, as he’s won both the featherweight and lightweight titles.
Poirier, meanwhile, has also done not too shabby. Since his loss to McGregor, Poirier’s gone 9-1, with 1 no-contest. More recently he’s been making waves in the lightweight division, and currently, he’s ranked #3 at 155, right behind McGregor at #2.
Well, following the TUF 28 Finale on Friday, White had this to say, while discussing the lightweight division (quote via MMA Junkie):
“The fight that makes sense right now is probably Poirier,” White said“And then Tony (Ferguson) gets a shot at the title, and the two winners fight each other. But I’m not sure exactly on a date when Conor’s going to fight yet. We have to get through this Nevada State Athletic Commission stuff first.”
“For me to even say anything is going to happen – who knows what these guys are going to get for suspensions? If it was just a fine that would be one thing,” White added, while referring to the discplinary action Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor are facing from the Nevada Commission, following the post-fight brawl at UFC 229. “They’re definitely getting suspended. I can’t see a scenario where they don’t get suspended. So I can’t do anything.”
So, from a rankings perspective, White’s certainly on point here. Essentially Poirer – McGregor 2 could serve as a title shot eliminator, and the winner would advance to face whoever takes Nurmagomedov – Ferguson. Any fight involving McGregor is sure to sell, but would it sell at a level to entice the “Notorious” one to sign on? Or does that matter for him right now?
After McGregor lost to Khabib at UFC 229, he did say he’s willing to face “the next in line”. So, unless he’s changed his mind about that, you would think a fight with Poirier would constitute this. But, when you have the bargaining power that McGregor has, another fight could also advance him to a title shot as well.
For example, what if a bout with Donald Cerrone, which the latter has called for, interests McGregor more? Than a do-over with Poirier? If McGregor defeated Cerrone, would the UFC really pass on handing him a title shot afterwards?
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