Dustin Poirier vs. Erik Koch slated for UFC 164 in Milwaukee

A featherweight bout between Dustin Poirier (13-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and Erik Koch (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) may finally happen.

Both fighters today confirmed the bout via Twitter following an initial report from MMAWeekly.com. However, UFC officials haven’t made a formal announcement.

It’s slated for UFC 164, which takes Aug. 31 at Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook, though it’s not clear where Poirier vs. Koch will be placed on the lineup.

Koch is ranked No. 11 and Poirier No. 14 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA featherweight rankings.

The fighters initially were slated to fight at UFC 143, though both eventually dropped off the card due to injuries. Koch, in fact, returned in January after a 16-month layoff due to injuries.

Poirier, a perennial contender since his move from the WEC to the UFC, was on a 6-1 run before a recent decision loss to Cub Swanson at UFC on FUEL TV 7, which came on short notice as an injury replacement. The American Top Team fighter’s only other losses have come to notables Chan Sung Jung and Danny Castillo.

Kock, meanwhile, looks to rebound from a UFC on FOX 6 TKO loss to Ricardo Lamas. Prior to the setback, the Milwaukee-based Roufusport fighter has won four straight fights (two in the WEC and two in the UFC), which included “Knockout of the Night” wins over Francisco Rivera and Raphael Assuncao.

The latest UFC 164 card includes:

• Erik Koch vs. Dustin Poirier*
• Ben Rothwell vs. Brandon Vera
• Diego Sanchez vs. opponent TBA

* – Not officially announced

For more on UFC 164, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Erik Koch)