DUSTIN POIRIER argued his rematch with Conor McGregor should be for the UFC lightweight title.
Khabib Nurmagomedov still holds the crown, despite announcing retirement in October.
But with Nurmagomedov appearing uninterested in making a comeback, Poirier feels he should be fighting for the belt in January.
The American is a former interim champion – with a win over No2 ranked contender Justin Gaethje – and McGregor held the undisputed crown until 2018.
Poirier believes it sets him up perfectly to challenge for the vacant crown on Fight Island on January 23.
He told BT Sport: “I feel like Khabib’s a guy of his word. If he says he’s retired, he’s most likely retired.
“Number two is Gaethje, I got a win over him. I feel like me and Conor could potentially be for the belt.
“I’m a former interim champion looking to get some gold back around my waist.
“Conor is a former undisputed world champion in the lightweight division.
“Both of our last defeats were to the current/’retired’ world champion. So I don’t know.”
Nurmagomedov retired after beating Gaethje, the first fight since the loss of his influential father Abdulmanap, who passed away aged 57 in July after contracting coronavirus.
But beforehand, Nurmagomedov had confirmed it was always their plan to walk away unbeaten in 30 fights.
And with the Russian one win away from achieving the goal, UFC president Dana White is hopeful the superstar will come back for one more.
As a result, Nurmagomedov has even kept hold of his belt, and will meet White on the week of McGregor’s return.
There, the promoter will attempt to convince Khabib out of retirement.
