UFC on FOX 30: Dustin Poirier Believes Title Shot’s Still on The Line, Despite Conor McGregor’s Plea Deal
By FCF Staff
Although we now know that Conor McGregor’s clear to resume his fighting career, Dustin Poirier still believes he can lock up a title shot on Saturday, at UFC on FOX 30.
On Thursday it was revealed that McGregor has reached a plea deal, following his well document incident at the media day for UFC 223, and as a result, he will not be serving any jail time. The consensus is that the UFC will now move forward with a bout between McGregor and lightweight champ, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
On Saturday, Poirier is scheduled to fight fellow contender, and former champ, Eddie Alvarez. Recently there was speculation that the winner could move on to a championship bout. But, due to McGregor’s plea deal, it’s not clear what’s going to happen with the title shot picture.
While speaking to the media on Thursday, however, Poirier said this, when asked about the situation (quote via MMA Junkie):
“Nothing changes,” Poirier said. “I’m still fighting for the world title after I beat Eddie Alvarez on Saturday. The only thing that’s going to change is I’m going to have a little bit more down time to hang out with my daughter.”
“A year’s kind of pushing it,” Poirier said, while discussing how long he’d be willing to sit out for a championship fight. “We’ll see. I’ve got to win first, and this is a crazy sport. Anything can happen between now and when their scheduled bout is. Somebody could pull out; something could happen…”
Alvarez and Poirier fought before in 2017, but the bout was ruled a no-contest, after the latter could not continue due to an illegal knee to the head.
UFC on FOX 30 will take place in Calgary, Alberta.