It’s no secret that Dustin Poirier has been looking for a fight.
The former UFC interim lightweight champion has been in search of a new opponent since his loss to the undisputed champion Charles Oliveria at UFC 269 in December. “The Diamond” has campaigned for fights against Nate Diaz and Colby Covington, but recently issued an open challenge to anyone willing to get a deal done for a fight in the lightweight or welterweight division.
Poirier has his eye set on fighting at UFC 277, the July pay-per-view event which currently does not have a confirmed venue or location, although it has been rumored to land in Dallas.
“155 or 170 anyone pull up July 30th,” Poirier wrote on Twitter. “International call out. Get a deal done.”
Yall a bunch of
155 or 170 anyone pull up July 30th. International call out. Get a deal done
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 14, 2022
The message was received by former welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson, who also has not competed since December. Both fighters would be looking to rebound from losses in their previous outings.
“Hey @DustinPoirier I’m down to scrap!” Thompson wrote in response on Twitter. “July 30th let’s go! #respectfully”
Hey @DustinPoirier I’m down to scrap! July 30th let’s go! #respectfully
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) May 14, 2022
“Respect,” was Poirier’s simple one-word reply. There’s no telling if the UFC matchmakers would like to create this fight, but it appears both fighters are open to making it happen.
Respect
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 14, 2022
Thompson, 39, is on a back-to-back skid, dropping unanimous decisions to Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad. Prior to the setbacks, “Wonderboy” defeated Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal in fights that went the distance.
If this potential matchup were to come together, the 33-year-old Poirier would be fighting at welterweight for the first time in his career. The former featherweight has fought at lightweight since 2015, moving up to 155 following a loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 178. Poirier has since avenged that loss by taking out McGregor in back-to-back wins at UFC 257 and UFC 264.
Currently, UFC 277 lineup includes the following fights:
- Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France – for interim flyweight title
- Derrick Lewis vs. Sergei Pavlovich
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Anthony Smith
- Mariya Agapova vs. Ji Yeon Kim
- Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold
- Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Michael Morales
- Diego Ferreira vs. Drakkar Klose
- Don’Tale Mayes vs. Justin Tafa