Tony Ferguson is Down to Fight Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier Next

It was kind of quiet there for a little while, in terms of MMA talk about Tony Ferguson and his next fight. But, now the former interim lightweight champ has popped back into headlines, after says he’s willing to battle Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier next.

Ferguson proposes title shot eliminator with McGregor or Poirier

As you likely know, the renowned lightweight is coming off a stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje in May, which was for the interim title. That bout came together after Ferguson’s latest booking to fight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov fell through, when the latter got stranded in Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Well,  since his loss at UFC 249, we haven’t heard all that much from Ferguson. But recently he talked with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, and while discussing his next bout, Ferguson said this.

“You want to give me Conor, give me Conor,” he said. “You want to give me Poirier, we’ll make that happen. Then we’ll fight the winner of the Gaethje and Khabib fight.”

Could either of these fights happen?

So, of course, anytime McGregor’s name gets brought up, it’s going to make news. Obviously, on account of the abilities and personalities of both men, lots and lots of folks would love to see that fight.

But, as it stands right now, McGregor is supposedly retired. Would a fight with Ferguson draw him out and back into the cage? It seems somewhat unlikely, in comparison to say, a third bout with Nate Diaz or a super fight with Jorge Masvidal. 

Further, after McGregor defeated Donald Cerrone this past January, Dana White said the Irish star would fight for the title next.

So, while it’s true Khabib has repeatedly said McGregor needs to defeat a top contender first, before he grants him a rematch, the former champ will likely wait to see what happens with Khabib vs. Gaethje (assuming he even has designs of fighting again).

What seems much more probable, is a fight with Dustin Poirier. ‘The Diamond’ is coming off a big and thrilling win over Dan Hooker and Poirier would very likely be on board to face one of the best lightweights of this generation. 

Especially if a win comes with a title shot.

Prior to his loss to Gaethje, the now 36-year-old Ferguson had won 12 straight fights.