With new UFC deal in place, Dustin Poirier eyes title shot with win over Justin Gaethje at UFC on FOX 29

It’s pretty unusual to ink a new contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) while there are several fights left on the existing one. But that’s just what Dustin Poirier did following his win over Anthony Pettis last November.

With three fights left on his old deal, “The Diamond” says he “rewashed” his UFC deal and structured it to allow him to get closer to his championship and financial goals.

“I just rewashed my old contract after my last fight and got a new contract,” Poirier told MMAjunkie. “I got close to my goal. I still believe I’m worth more money, but we’re happy with where we’re at. Me and the UFC are on good terms and like I’ve said, I would fight the rest of my career in the UFC. I want to fight until I’m 35. I would love to do another six years in the UFC, but as of right now I’m happy, and I hope they’re happy. I’m going to keep putting on great shows and putting everything into my training camps. That’s all I can do,” he added.

While more pay is always good, Poirer says his new deal has “championship language” in it. And though he wouldn’t divulge the full details, Dusting says the specifics are there to reach his goals of winning UFC gold and beyond.

“I don’t know how many contracts I’ve had with the UFC, but this is my first contract with championship language in it,” Poirier said. “We have a plan figured out for when I win the belt, and it’s in my contract. This is my first contract with that in it, and I’ve had a lot of contracts with the UFC. This is the closest I’ve ever come to being a world champion, and everything is happening like clockwork like it’s supposed to.”

Scheduled to face off against Justin Gaethje at the upcoming UFC on FOX 29 event on April 18 which is set to headline the card in Glendale, Arizona (full details here), “The Diamond” hopes he to get the next shot at the 155-pound title.

“In my heart I’m hoping I get this W, put on a great performance, show my skills, and I get a title shot next,” Poirier said. “But this is a crazy sport, and we see crazy things happen.”

Indeed, Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight current champion Tony Ferguson in the headlining bout of UFC 222 on April 7 in Brooklyn, New York. And since the fight will be for the “real” strap, Poirier believes the division and path to the title will be much clearer.

To see the most up-to-date UFC on FOX 29: “Poirier vs Gaethje” fight card click here.