Colby Covington has claimed Conor McGregor will face Nate Diaz on his return from injury which would open up the opportunity for him to face Dustin Poirier.
McGregor has yet to set a return date as he continues his recovery from a broken leg but has been paired with a number of opponents including in a trilogy bout with Diaz.
Diaz has verbally agreed to a bout with Poirier but a deal is yet to be officially confirmed with the 36-year-old having just one fight remaining on his current UFC deal.
Welterweight star Covington taunted Poirier by saying he should come and claim a "losing pay cheque" like Jorge Masvidal after he secured victory at UFC 272.
"I want to fight in July," Covington said at the UFC 272 post-fight press conference. "Dustin Poirier said he wants come up and fight Nate Diaz at 170lbs. He don't have a fight, Nate's fighting Conor McGregor.
"So there is no other fights for Dustin. He needs to come and take this losing pay cheque just like his boy Jorge Masvidal did.
“Let’s do it, bro, he said it’s on sight. Let’s do it. Stop talking reckless in the media. If I talk to the media and say things, I come out here and back it up. I’m a man of my word.
“So we can do it anywhere. We don’t have to do it in the UFC octagon. If he wants to do it in a park, or in a street, my one stipulation is that you let the world watch it and enjoy themselves.”
Poirier immediately responded to Covington's post-fight call-out, tweeting: "Maybe fight a welterweight contender?"
Covington beat Masvidal in dominant fashion this weekend but is unlikely to receive a shot at the title after losing twice to champion Kamaru Usman.
McGregor's future is equally uncertain having several options across two weight categories, after he confirmed he is likely to make a return at 155lbs or 170lbs.
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A trilogy fight with Diaz would likely take place at 170lbs with McGregor claiming he is currently walking around at 190lbs after showing-off a new ripped physique.
UFC president Dana White is keen on staging a trilogy between the pair, despite Diaz hinting at retirement from the sport with his contract on the verge of expiring.
Diaz previously ruled out a further meeting with McGregor but has since claimed the Irishman needs to be less "fragile" and secure victories to secure the showdown.
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub believes Diaz will likely be not allowed to leave the UFC until he fights McGregor in an illustrious third instalment of their rivalry.
"Nate Diaz is never going to be able to leave the UFC without doing the trilogy fight," Schaub said during a conversation with Michael Chandler.
"I think the UFC knows that fight's always there, so they're trying to drain as much out of the Irishman as they can and finally go, 'Alright, here's the trilogy fight,' cause we all want to see it."
