Add Conor McGregor to the list of fighters who have a problem with the UFC ranking system.
The former two-division champion took to Twitter on Thursday to criticize the list of the top 15 lightweights where Dustin Poirier is currently sitting ahead of him. Based on the current rankings with Khabib Nurmagomedov as champion, Tony Ferguson sits at No. 1 with Poirier at No. 2 and McGregor at No. 3.
“How is the pea ahead of me in rankings?” McGregor said referencing Poirier. “I sparked him in 90 seconds. Went further against most recent foe, plus took a round. After two year layoff partying and or in jail/court.
“What a weird little game you guys play. I’ll bide my time for now but watch this space. All bums.”
McGregor later deleted the message on Twitter.
McGregor holds a win over Poirier when they met at featherweight back in 2014. On that night, the Irish superstar put Poirier away by first round TKO at just 1:46 into the opening round.
Since that time, Poirier has found great success at lightweight where he’s amassed a 9-2 record with one no-contest while capturing the interim title with a victory over Max Holloway in 2018. He came up short in his bid to become undisputed champion with a third round submission loss to Nurmagomedov last year.
McGregor is currently awaiting word from the UFC on his next fight, although Dana White recently said that he hoped to have former lightweight champion competing as early as June once the promotion begins staging events on “Fight Island.”
Of course, Poirier would likely welcome the chance to compete for his ranking after calling for a rematch against McGregor in the past. Poirier was originally expected to make his return on May 16 in a fight against Dan Hooker but that matchup was later scrapped due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Perhaps now Poirier could switch his attention towards McGregor to prove who should be the higher ranked lightweight in the division.
