Former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier feels he is close to having another chance to earn the undisputed belt in the division following a win over Conor McGregor at UFC 264 and two to five more victories over McGregor in the months and years ahead. Despite being at most just a half dozen victories over the Irishman away from another chance at UFC gold, Poirier is doing his best to remain focused on the fight ahead of him.
“It’s exciting, but I can’t look past Conor,” Poirier said at the event’s prefight press conference. “I’ve got to go out there Saturday night and get the job done, then do it again in the fall and early next year. We’re pretty optimistic that Conor will have moved on to something new or finally found himself facing actual legal consequences by the summer of next year, so we’re excited to see who is the champion when he does.”
Pressed on the accuracy of Poirier’s hunch, UFC president Dana White was evasive, saying right now it’s all about UFC 264, while also announcing the fourth bout in the series is set to take place at the promotion’s New Years event as long as McGregor isn’t otherwise booked to take on Charles Oliveira.