Recently, news of a potential rematch between former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor and former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier hit the airwaves with the two looking at an early 2021 date for the fight.
McGregor had originally called for the fight to be an exhibition outside of the UFC for charity, but the latest rumours suggest the fight will now be an official bout under the UFC banner.
A fight between the two sounds incredible, with the Diamond having grown exponentially since their first meeting and will surely hold major title repercussions, with the winner likely next in line for a shot at the winner of Saturday's UFC lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje.
The only problem is, it seems the fight is set to take place at 170lbs, with McGregor rumoured to be unwilling to cut down to lightweight. Poirier, the fighter he is, might be up for this, but it's not a move that will benefit him.
The Notorious One has experience fighting at welterweight and has done so on numerous occasions, he's suited to the division and would certainly benefit more from the fight taking place at such a weight. Dustin has never fought at welterweight and we're yet to see how well he'd fare. Both men started their UFC careers off at featherweight and while Conor looks suited to fighting at 170lbs, I can't help but feel Poirier might find it difficult to do so, especially with his first fight at the weight being against someone as difficult as McGregor.
Not only would fighting at welterweight leave the fight largely in Conor's favour, it just doesn't make sense for Poirier, who's future involves the lightweight title picture. It's common knowledge the winner of this fight would be next in line for a title shot at 155lbs, but would that be the case if they didn't even fight at that weight? I doubt it.
It's pretty crazy, but McGregor's last win at lightweight was almost four years ago when he beat Eddie Alvarez for the title at UFC 205. UFC president Dana White himself even said it didn't make a lot of sense for the fight to take place at 170lbs and I've got to agree.
If another shot at the lightweight title is what you want Dustin, you should make sure any upcoming fight takes place at that weight.
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