Two of the biggest names in the UFC need opponents.
Former lightweight interim champion Dustin Poirier has been searching for a fight since his undisputed title challenge at UFC 269 against Charles Oliveira and former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns is looking to right the ship after falling to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273.
On Saturday, Poirier (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC) posted a message on Twitter simply stating, “I want to fight.”
It didn’t take long for Poirier to get attention from his peers, as Burns (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) raised his hand for a challenge. “170?” was the quick and to-the-point reply from Burns, who appears to be down for a fight at welterweight.
170? 👀 https://t.co/Flphm9y0vl
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 23, 2022
Poirier put together a win over Dan Hooker and back-to-back victories over former double-champion Conor McGregor to earn a shot at Charles Oliveria’s lightweight title at UFC 269. Poirier came up short in his second bid for the division’s undisputed title, leaving the former interim champ contemplating a move to welterweight out of preference.
Burns challenged Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 258, but ultimately fell to the dominant champion. He rebounded with a strong win over Stephen Thompson, but then met another setback in an all-out war against Chimaev at UFC 273. Considering his recent run of opponents, Burns could go a number of directions for his next outing, and apparently, he would consider Poirier.
Burns wasn’t the only welterweight who replied to Poirier’s message, though. Surging contender Belal Muhammad also sent a reply, however, he wasn’t exactly looking for an opponent.
“Let’s go jump Colby (Covington),” Muhammad joked in response to Poirier’s tweet.
Let’s go jump colby
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 23, 2022
The name that has been tied to Poirier the most in recent months has been Nate Diaz, who has one fight left on his current UFC contract. Diaz has asked the promotion to book him against Poirier for his “retirement fight” a number of times, in addition to just asking for his release if a fight isn’t booked soon.
“I would like to fight Dustin Poirier, like now,” Diaz said. “Like I’ve been trying to. If there’s any mix-up, it’s him and them and the game.”
