UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has suggested that Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fight each other for the vacant title.
The race for the UFC lightweight title is high in the wake of Poirier’s knockout victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, he will almost certainly retire next week and vacate the belt, Poirier – the so-called ‘uncrowned world champion’ – is expected to be half of whatever the next lightweight title fight is. However, his opponent is still in the air, with McGregor, Chandler, Oliveira and Nate Diaz all being realistic options.
On MMAjunkie.com, Poirier said he is not sure at the moment what the UFC wants to do next. He said he had not yet started talking about his next fight and said he wanted to take a step back at the moment and keep an eye on the division. While Poirier was investigating the country, he said the UFC could continue a vacant title fight between Oliveira and Chandler. If it wants the UFC, Poirier gives his blessing for it.
“I want to be the world champion, and Charles is a man who pays his money. He deserved where he is, no doubt about it. Let him and Chandler fight for the belt. If they want Chandler to be there for the title, and he asks for the title. Let them fight around the belt. I’ll take a step back and just watch, ‘Poirier said.
Oliveira has won eight consecutive fights and comes from a one-sided victory over Tony Ferguson, so he deserves the title fight, but has made it clear he wants Poirier next. As for Chandler, he has a KO win over Dan Hooker in his UFC debut. He won three straight fights by a knockout blow that dates back to his Bellator run and also deserves to fight for the belt. Both deserve to fight for the title.
But for most MMA fans, the idea that Poirier is not half of the next UFC lightweight title will not suit them well. Then for some reason he is the uncrowned champion. And until the best option for him emerges, he has no problem waiting for the best possible match.
Do you like Dustin Poirier’s idea of a vacant title fight between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler?
This article first appears on BJPENN.COM