The combat world was thrown for an exciting loop yesterday (Fri., Feb. 22, 2019) when it was announced that current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will be moving up to challenge lightweight contender Dustin Poirier for the interim title at UFC 236 this April.
An interim title fight was expected considering current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is sidelined until November, but the pairing of Holloway-Poirier came as a bit of a surprise, especially since “Diamond” just called for his UFC release earlier this week.
In addition, top lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Al Iaquinta were two options that arguably made more sense for the 155-pound division. Holloway has been a beast at 145 pounds and should have no trouble crossing over to the lightweight ranks, but “El Cucuy” and “Raging Al” have both done enough to warrant interim title fight consideration in their own division.
While UFC president Dana White revealed that Ferguson declined the interim title fight with Poirier, the promotion apparently didn’t make a good enough offer to the lightweight veteran. Ferguson, along with Iaquinta, reached out on social media and offered the following reactions to the Holloway-Poirier fight news:
We Took Some Unneeded Damage This Past Year. Recovery From The Knee Surgery & Battling Through Adversity Really Put A Damper On The Overall Mood These Last Few Months. We’re Working… https://t.co/2Zdtvyual9
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 23, 2019
I can make 145
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 23, 2019
Naaaaachhhhhhhooooooooo! pic.twitter.com/pzEM9braox
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 23, 2019
“It’s a rat race... but I’m not a rat I’m a ninja turtle” poor Tony #snapjitsu
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 23, 2019
Here is what other MMA figures had to say about the interim title fight announcement:
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2019
I’m totally perplexed by Fergs tactics. Anyone else https://t.co/rssMthKO7m
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 23, 2019
I’m super pumped for @ALIAQUINTA vs @tonyfergusonXT
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 23, 2019
I truly don’t think anybody gives max trouble at this point but khabib, he’s lookin phenomenal in there as of late. I see a tko over porier round 3 ish
— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 23, 2019
this looks accurate https://t.co/7ygfQCsXPi
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) February 23, 2019
Please guys I don’t wanna hear shit about @TonyFergusonXT anymore he turned Down fight with Max to get a chance to fight @TeamKhabib for the title in September now we understand he don’t want the smoke WTF ♂️ ♂️
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) February 23, 2019