Dustin Poirier appears now less than hopeful that an originally planned pairing with Nate Diaz actually occurs next year, claiming that the Stockton native has no intention of actually taking the fight, despite initially showing an immediate interest this month.
Poirier, a former interim UFC lightweight champion, headlined UFC 269 earlier this month, suffering an eventual third round standing rear-naked choke loss to defending undisputed champion, Charles Oliveira – snapping an eye-catching three-fight winning spree.
Following the bout, a dejected Poirier questioned if he wanted to attempt a third title siege at 155lbs, as well as hint at a potential welterweight division move, before landing on the topic of a reworked bout with Diaz, which appears to have his attention.
The Louisianan welcomed a 2022 pairing with the outspoken Californian, claiming that potential showdown was the only fight that currently piqued his interest.
Similarly, Diaz voiced his willingness to score the bout, with the two welcoming a UFC 270 fight in January.
Dustin Poirier casts doubt on potential showdown with rival Nate Diaz next year
However, Poirier claimed that he agreed to fight the former title challenger next month, but hinted that the bout was impossible for the organization to secure.
After testing the waters on a February matchup at UFC 271 in Houston, Texas – Poirier replied to a Twitter user and claimed that Diaz no longer wanted to fight him; “He (Nate Diaz) doesn’t want it,” Dustin Poirier tweeted.
Poirier and Diaz were initially tied to a targeted UFC 230 lightweight clash back in November 2018 at Madison Square Garden, before the worked on fight failed to materialise. In the time since, both have placed the blame on each other’s doorstep, with Poirier claiming Diaz failed to reach terms with the UFC, while the latter chalked the failed bout up to a Poirier hip injury.
Diaz was in attendance on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida in support of his teammate, UFC, and Bellator MMA alum, Chris Avila who scored a decision win over Anthony Taylor in a boxing match.
The Stockton native was also the subject of another callout from undefeated boxer, Jake Paul following the Ohio native’s thunderous sixth round knockout win over former UFC welterweight kingpin, Tyron Woodley in the event’s headliner.