UFC President Dana White spoke to reporters yesterday (actually) after the UFC packed up on ESPN 15, a show that saw Frankie Edgar make a close decision about Pedro Munhoz. That bout was Edgar’s debut fight at bantamweight.
White talks a lot about Edgar and his future in that division. He also hints at something big that also came to Edgar’s old division.
During the press conference, White confirmed that he had booked former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson the next fight. White, however, said he was not ready to officially announce a deal at any time.
Despite his coyness, White said Ferguson’s next opponent was “likely” Dustin Poirier, who is also a former interim lightweight champion.
MMA Fightng has confirmed through sources that talks about a fight between Ferguson vs. Poirier have started with both parties. However, that outlet also said that no contracts have been issued or signed.
Ferguson was last seen at UFC 249, in the temporary Jacksonville COVID-19 bubble, and took on Justin Gaethje. Ferguson lost that match to Gaethje via TKO in the fifth round.
Gaethje was a late replacement for UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ferguson Vs. Nurmagomedov was arrested for the fifth time after the coronavirus pandemic blocked Numagomedov from leaving Russia.
Before falling for Gaethje, Ferguson was on a winning streak of 12 fights stretching to his win over Mike Rio at UFC 166 in 2013. Recent Ferguson victories include stops over Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Kevin Lee and Rafael dos Anjos.
Dustin Poirier’s last appearance was in the UFC APEX facility, on a header against Dan Hooker. Poirier won that battle by unanimous decision. Before losing to Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 of 2019. Before losing to lightweight champion, Poirier had a six-fight unbeaten streak with wins over Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje.
