Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor (right) (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Dustin Poirier has made it clear he’s more than willing to fight Conor McGregor for the third time if the UFC tables the right offer. But, if the UFC’s thinking about making the trilogy fight a lightweight championship bout, Poirier admits he doesn’t think McGregor should be fighting for the belt.

Poirier avenged his 2014, stoppage loss to McGregor last month, by finishing the star in the second round. After the bout, McGregor called for a rubber match with Poirier, and the latter has said he’s interested.

Since the lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov remains retired, there’s been speculation about whether the UFC could look at making Poirier – McGregor III a championship fight. But, while speaking to Joe Rogan recently, Poirier had this to say about McGregor fighting for the belt (quote via MMA Junkie).

“No, I don’t think (he should fight for a title),” Poirier said. “Conor’s been away so long. His last two fights at 155, he’s lost. So you can’t put him in there for a title fight. How could you justify doing that when you have guys like (Charles) Oliveira?”

Since McGregor won the UFC’s lightweight title in 2016, by stopping Eddie Alvarez, he’s gone 1-2 in MMA action. McGregor returned to the Octagon in Ocotber, 2018, but was submitted by Nurmagomedov.

In January, 2019, McGregor returned to the win column by quicky taking out Donald Cerrone. But htat fight was contested at welterweight.

Following McGregor’s loss to Poirier at UFC 257, UFC President Dana White has said that the former champ will not fight for the belt next.