McGregor’s coach claims Poirier fight will be at 170, prompts Khabib’s manager to dismiss lightweight title shot

Conor McGregor may have agreed to fight Dustin Poirier in a rematch this coming January, but the stipulations for the Irishman’s return are beginning to pile up.

First, McGregor accepted a January date for his matchup opposite “Diamond” as long as the fight took place inside AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. UFC president Dana White was quick to shoot that idea down, even though Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, seemed eager to get something done.

Now, it seems as if McGregor’s team is calling for the Poirier fight to happen at 170 pounds. McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, posted a message to Twitter Friday night expressing how good “Notorious” has looked during training, while indicating that the Poirier bout will take place at welterweight.

“Watching @TheNotoriousMMA do MMA rounds lately has been a real joy and education. Fluidity of movement with elite level timing and skill. Dustin has improved so much since first meeting, conor has improved much more imo. To see them hydrated & healthy at 170 will be fascinating,” wrote Kavanagh.

Given that the proposed McGregor vs. Poirier 2 fight is expected to be a No. 1 lightweight contender’s bout it’d be strange if the contest took place at welterweight. The winner would likely take on the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje, which will go down next weekend at UFC 254 and determine the undisputed UFC lightweight champion of the world.

Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, took to social media following Kavanagh’s announcement to confirm that a lightweight title shot will not be granted to McGregor or Poirier if they fight at 170 pounds.

“To be #1 contender in 155 you have to make weight and not fight at 170. It’s not fair for other guys like Tony , Hooker , Makhachev , Beneil , they always make weight. If Dustin VS Conor will be at 170 I can guarantee you it won’t be #1 contender match. Somebody will get a shot,” wrote Abdelaziz.

For what it’s worth, the McGregor vs. Poirier rematch hasn’t even been booked. Both sides have agreed to the January date but neither fighter has signed an official contract. It’s possible that McGregor’s team is trying to pull one last power move to get the fight at 170 pounds.

That said, McGregor has seemingly lost some pull with the promotion over the past year and could very well be shot down for a return to welterweight, especially if the winner of the rematch is expected to get a shot at the lightweight crown.

What do you think, fight fans? If McGregor vs. Poirier 2 takes place at 170 pounds should the winner get a lightweight title shot?

Let’s hear it!

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