If he can get past Nurmagomedov, plenty of potentially interesting matchups await. The lightweight division is stacked with contenders like Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Donald Cerrone, among others. Yet, according to Poirier, there is only one person who deserves the next title shot.
“100 percent it’s Tony Ferguson without a second guess,” Poirier said on a recent UFC 242 media call. “Without any argument, it’s Tony Ferguson. No doubt.”
For now, Poirier isn’t thinking about what might lie ahead. He knows Nurmagomedov is a tough fight and is focusing on that instead. If he gets past “The Eagle,” then he says he is open to discussing it.
“Honestly I don’t think about that type of stuff because 25 minutes with Khabib is all I can focus on right now,” Poirier stated. “I can’t disrespect the work that needs to be done Sept. 7.”