If Swanson loses to Edgar at UFC Fight Night 57, Dustin Poirier wants rematch

UFC featherweight Dustin Poirier is thinking rematch when it comes to the fight he’d most like to take for his next outing.

But one thing has to happen: Cub Swanson (21-5 MMA, 6-1 UFC) has to lose to Frankie Edgar (17-4-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC).

Swanson expects to earn a title shot if he’s able to beat Edgar in the headliner of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 57, which takes place at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. But if he loses, he goes back to the drawing board after a six-fight winning streak, which included a decision over Poirier (16-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC).

“If Cub does lose, I’d like to get another crack at him, which is a possibility, I think,” Poirier told MMAjunkie Radio. “I’d like that. I’m not rooting against him, but if he loses, I’d like that fight.”

Another opponent also interests Poirier, and he doesn’t need to wait for an outcome to line it up. Dennis Bermudez (14-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC), previously the owner of a six-fight win streak, lost this past Saturday to Ricardo Lamas.

There’s no prior enmity between Poirier and Bermudez, but Poirier wants an opponent high in the rankings to keep him relevant.

“It sounds like a fun fight. He’s fun to watch. He goes out there and puts on shows, and that’s the kind of fight that I try to get into. If the fans want to see that, and (UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby thinks that’s what’s next, I’m 100 percent down.

“If Sean gives me another name that’s closer to the top, I’ll take that one.”

Of course, he has yet to hear what’s next. After a knockout loss to Conor McGregor (16-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at this past September’s UFC 178, he was forced to pick up the pieces and think about his next move after winning three straight.

But Poirier said he’s trying not to dwell on what happened that night.

“I’m trying not to overthink, because really, I got hit with a good shot,” he said. “The guy has good power. The gloves we wear, you don’t see a shot and you get hit with it, you go down. That’s what happened.

“Moving forward, I’m just trying to have fun with this. I think leading into that fight, I was overthinking it and getting in my own way. Because I can beat anybody in the world; I truly believe that. I’m just trying not to get in my own way going forward.”

Of course, if he’s able to do that, the ideal scenario is a win streak, the kind that brings an opportunity he’d most like to be offered: another shot at McGregor.

The popular Irish featherweight could get a title shot with a win over Dennis Siver at January’s UFC Fight Night 59, but Poirier hopes that eventually, they’ll be on equal footing.

Poirier hasn’t fully gotten over McGregor’s antics before and after their fight. The two didn’t mend fences after exchanging fists.

“With that guy, it’s not an act,” he said. “He’s not going doing that and behind the curtains, he’s a normal guy. He’s an a–hole, forever, all the time. In front of the camera, behind the camera. So I didn’t want to try to talk to him. I told him congratulations after the fight, and that’s it. I’m still gunning for him. I want to put together a win streak, and get back in there and beat him.”

But right now, Poirier said his goal is to have fun and not to obsess on his future.

“I’m training and having fun,” he said. “I’m in Austin right now; I’m here with Yves Edwards, and I’ll be in his corner on Saturday night, and I’ll be in Florida right after. Maybe January or February would be good for me.”

And for more on UFC Fight Night 57, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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