When Conor McGregor jumped the line and beat Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, it sent the lightweight division into a tailspin. After McGregor involuntarily vacated his belt to go pursue a boxing megafight with Floyd Mayweather, the UFC was struck by poor planning an bad luck, unable to crown a legitimate champion in the absence of McGregor defending his title. Multiple title fights came together and fell apart. An interim belt was put on the line and then vacated, and all the while, more legitimate contenders accumulated at the top of the 155 pound division. So when Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor at UFC 229, it was supposed to be a return to normalcy for the UFC.
Instead, Nurmagomedov has embarked on a worldwide victory tour, meeting with foreign dignitaries and performing charitable works. He has not shown any concrete plans on when he will return to defend his title and when his team does speak of Khabib’s return, the ideas being discussed are not top lightweight contenders but boxing matches with Mayweather or superfights with Georges St-Pierre. While it hasn’t been that long since Nurmagomedov defended his belt, this is still frustrating one of the two men who should be in line for a title shot, Dustin Poirier.
Poirier recently voiced his frustration with the hold-up at the top of the lightweight division, telling MMAJunkie that he “needs clarity on what’s next”. He also took to Twitter to call out the other man waiting on a title shot, Tony Ferguson, so they could fight instead of waiting around on Nurmagomedov to return.
Just woke up and read theres gonna be more waiting around at the top of the lightweight division...
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 10, 2018
Let's give the fans the violence they deserve @TonyFergusonXT
Let's go @ufc !!! Stop holding up my weight class!
Unfortunately for Poirier, Ferguson doesn’t seem that interested.
Ferguson is widely considered to be next in line for Nurmagomedov, having won 11 fights in a row in the UFC, including an interim title he was later stripped of, for no real reason. His most recent outing was a Fight of the Year contender against Anthony Pettis in the co-main event of UFC 229, a TKO win for Ferguson that cemented him as the number one contender, barring an immediate rematch for McGregor, and as a result, Ferguson essentially waved off Poirier’s call out, telling “The Diamond” to ‘sit down’.
I Liked You Better When You Were Quiet Kid. Don’t Ruin A Good Thing You Got “Goin’... Diamond” @DustinPoirier TonyFergusonMMA Is Tops, Much More Efficient Than @TheNotoriousMMA & @TeamKhabib In The Same Day. I Already Know How To Beat You By The Way You Tweet. Sit Down
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 12, 2018
Poirier himself is on an impressive win streak, having one three in a row over top lightweight contenders. That being said, he acknowledged that Ferguson is rightfully in front of him in line even before he called him out. But if he can goad Ferguson into taking a fight against him, then Poirier can put himself in line for a title shot with a win, so Poirier seems intent on trying to do just that.
Lol let's go pussy fart https://t.co/14ShjctjQr
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 12, 2018
For now, Ferguson, Poirier, and the rest of the lightweight division will have to wait on Nurmagomedov to resolve his lingering issues with the Nevada Athletic Commission before they can hope for clarity at the top of the lightweight division. Nurmagomedov is still facing punishment for the brawl he incited following UFC 229, which could potentially include a lengthy suspension. If that happens, Poirier and Ferguson may end up fighting one another after all.
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VADA. Jon Jones granted license by CSAC to compete at UFC 232, may participate in additional VADA drug testing.
Turner. ONE Championship reaches deal to air live events on Turner Sports properties.
Foster. CSAC’s Andy Foster discusses Jon Jones hearing, ‘concerns’ over USADA adjudication processes.
Flyweight. Valentina Shevchenko in no rush to fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk again
13 months! Grant Dawson sees USADA case dismissed.
Signing. Undefeated LFA flyweight champ Sabina Mazo signs with UFC.
VIDEO STEW
Recapping Jon Jones’ hearing.
Thrill and the agony sneak peek.
Free fight.
Apparently Ortega is doing much better.
Camp with Ragin Al.
TWood on GQ.
LISTEN UP
Eurobash. Interviews with James Gallagher and Ross Houston.
Fights Gone By. Discussing the brilliance of Max Holloway.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Big time for DC.
What an honor to be mentioned with these other amazing athletes. I couldn’t ever imagine a year like this. Now all I need is that nice shiny ESPY for fighter of the year and I’m set. Thank you all for your support this year and throughout my entire career. We did this together. pic.twitter.com/IH6S9FE7Cv
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 11, 2018
Damn @dc_mma the Daddest man on the planet really be letting them know in them tennis shoes. You da man boss https://t.co/R74sgVBczx
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) December 11, 2018
Having a fight booked won’t stop Askren from fighting I guess.
Marty don’t talk about it, be about it! @USMAN84kg https://t.co/kE7a3PEiDQ
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 12, 2018
Motivational Tony.
Hey You, You’re Awesome! Keep That Shit Up! Have A Great Day Crew- Champ #snapintuit x SnapJitsu™️ pic.twitter.com/dOLGQqJN9n
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 11, 2018
I Liked You Better When You Were Quiet Kid. Don’t Ruin A Good Thing You Got “Goin’... Diamond” @DustinPoirier TonyFergusonMMA Is Tops, Much More Efficient Than @TheNotoriousMMA & @TeamKhabib In The Same Day. I Already Know How To Beat You By The Way You Tweet. Sit Down
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 12, 2018
Lol let's go pussy fart https://t.co/14ShjctjQr
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 12, 2018
Stepping up.
Dear @ufc don’t stress, I can replace the old man Cruz..
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) December 12, 2018
Just send the contract
Since Cruz is again out I’ll love to have this one back, what Johny boy let’s crack @johnlineker @seanshelby @danawhite https://t.co/Gst1WDQ4Oh
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) December 11, 2018
Let Dan Kelly has one final ride.
Throw back to the first ppv in Melbourne! Fights are starting to get matched for ufc 234 come @ufc time to get booked! #dadsarmy #lastmarch #ufc234 pic.twitter.com/NqGNiLuIG7
— Daniel Kelly (@DanKellyJudo) December 11, 2018
Emil Meek’s new commercial is insane.
Fuck T-shirt’s ✅
— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) December 12, 2018
Log of wood ✅
Flaming axe ✅#meektime #betsafe #viking pic.twitter.com/DY7jiz6kYG
Elite Twitter.
Can you identify this #UFCMilwaukee fighter? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/O1pTtiWJXP
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2018
Hooker
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) December 11, 2018
That’s an ugly ass hooker....
— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) December 12, 2018
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2007: Urijah Faber submitted Jeff Curran with a guillotine choke at WEC 31 to retain his featherweight title. This was also the event where Chael Sonnen famously “did not tap out” in his middleweight title fight against Paulo Filho, but was determined to have verbally submitted when he shouted out while caught in an armbar.
2009: BJ Penn stopped Diego Sanchez at UFC 107 to retain his lightweight title.
2014: Carla Esparza became the inaugural UFC strawweight champion when she submitted Rose Namajunas at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.
2015: Conor McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to claim the UFC featherweight title. In the co-main event, Luke Rockhold mauled Chris Weidman to take the middleweight belt.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Will Ferguson and Poirier fight each other?
This poll is closed
-
29%
Yes, Khabib is getting suspended.
-
51%
Yes, but after Khabib and Tony fight.
-
18%
No, they will never fight.
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