Iaquinta calls Poirier fight next: ‘I’m gonna f-ck him up’

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Could a fight between two former lightweight title challengers be on the cards?

Al Iaquinta is hoping to get back in the win column after losing his last two fights in the octagon, and “Ragin” Al wants to do that against Dustin Poirier.

Since winning a unanimous decision against Kevin Lee in 2018, Iaquinta has lost consecutive fights against Donald Cerrone and Dan Hooker. Meanwhile, Poirier had his four-fight winning streak snapped when he lost out to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov last September.

Talking to Ariel Helwani on Monday, Iaquinta said a fight between the two former title challengers is one that makes sense.

“He doesn’t have a fight coming up, that’s the fight,” Iaquinta said. “The UFC just has to call him. I called Hunter [Campbell], I texted Sean Shelby, I said ‘that’s the fight’ and I’m pretty sure… maybe they didn’t offer it to him, but if they did, he turned it down. Either way, the offer’s extended now and that’s it. I think it’s a good fight.” (Transcription via BJ Penn.com)

Poirier has since responded to Iaquinta’s comments on Twitter. “The Diamond” said Iaquinta needs to ‘calm down’ after only winning two fights in five years, and he would be willing to take the fight if it takes place at 170-pounds.

“He thinks his stock is a lot higher than it is. He would’ve gotten choked unconscious [against Khabib] but he tapped before the deed could be done,” Iaquinta said. “I think that’s the fight that needs to be made.

“He thinks he’s the no.1 contender but he’s really not. I fought Khabib on a minute’s notice. He said he wants an exciting fight, he’s gonna get an exiting fight. I’m gonna f—k him up.”