The UFC 254 card was slated to be the biggest of the year. However, one of the top fights will no longer be taking place.
Top lightweight contender Dustin Poirier told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani the bout is off after “The Diamond” failed to come to terms on his compensation for the fight.
The card, scheduled for Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is headlined by a championship lightweight bout between undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and top contender Justin Gaethje.
But the main event was going to be complemented by another marquee fight between the two former interim lightweight champions in Ferguson and Poirier, with the winner having a claim to a title fight
The four lightweights are among the top fighters in the UFC. Having them all on one card seemed like a dream come true for fight fans.
Unfortunately, the UFC could not reach an agreement with Poirier. Just yesterday, Poirier said he was open to the fight, depending on the payout (via Helwani):
On Wednesday, Poirier told ESPN he would be willing to take the fight if the money was right.
“I just need to be compensated if they want this fight,” he said. “Simple as that.
“I’m a prize fighter and the prize needs to be right.”
Helwani also reported the UFC discussed scenarios where either Ferguson or Poirier would step in for the main event depending on whether Gaethje or Nurmagomedov had to pull out.
Ferguson had reportedly agreed to the fight, though he had yet to sign a contract. Now, it appears there will be no need for a signature.
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