ABU DHABI – Dustin Poirier thinks that nothing came of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s meeting with Dana White.
During the UFC’s third stint on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, the recently retired lightweight champion met White to discuss his future. Afterwards, the UFC president claimed that Nurmagomedov had told him he would be open to return if one of the best lightweights really impressed him.
With a massive lightweight clash between Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC) and Conor McGregor headlining the UFC 257 event on Saturday, a new No. 1 contender will likely be cemented.
But despite all this, Poirier thinks the title picture remains unclear.
“I thought we would have some clarity on whether he was retired or not,” Poirier told MMA Junkie. “I didn’t think it was going to be a gray area. I thought it was going to be black or white, yes or no. We are in much the same position we were before they had the meeting. “
With Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) officially never going to give up his championship, Poirier didn’t expect his rematch with McGregor to be for the title, but he certainly sees big implications with a win.
“I didn’t think a belt would be thrown around this, because Dana has already said this fight can’t be for a belt, so I believed him when he said that,” said Poirier. “I think the winner of this fight will fight for the belt next time. I think everyone knows that. But I would have liked a definitive answer, but it’s all right. It is what it is. I have to fight first.”
The plan is to defeat Conor McGregor by any means possible. Blood and guts and fight for the world title again. “