For a little while there, it looked like a scrap between Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson could serve as the lead-up to Khabib Nurmagomedov throwing down with Justin Gaethje. But, Poirier is reporting he won’t be fighting at UFC 254.
Poirier says he’s not fighting October 24th
Recently it was reported that the UFC was looking at having Ferguson and Poirier fight at UFC 254. Since that card will also feature Khabib versus Gaethje, obviously, there was understandable, widespread joy when that news broke.
But, in a follow-up report with ESPN today, Poirier told the outlet this.
“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,” he said. “Simple as that.
“I’m a prize fighter and the prize needs to be right”
Reaction?
There’s always a chance, of course, that Poirier and his management are holding out for more money, and that the UFC will agree to up the offer. But, clearly things aren’t looking good at this juncture, in terms of this fight happening next month.
Not only does the fight make a lot of sense from a meritocratic perspective, on paper, it has the makings of something special. Further, if something were to go wrong with either Khabib or Gaethje, in theory, the UFC could have tapped Poirier or Ferguson as a replacement.
UFC 254 line-up
Here is the line-up to date for UFC 254, which is expected to take place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi (card via MMA Mania).
155 lbs.: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje
185 lbs.: Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
125 lbs.: Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lauren Murphy
265 lbs.: Walt Harris vs. Alexander Volkov
135 lbs.: Sergey Morozov vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
205 lbs.: Ion Cutelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev
155 lbs.: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev
125 lbs.: Liana Jojua vs. Miranda Maverick
*card subject to change
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