UFC 199's Dustin Poirier offers to replace Conor McGregor and fight Nate Diaz at UFC 200

Dustin Poirier has another fight on his schedule, but he’s willing to replace it or supplement it if it means a bout with Nate Diaz at UFC 200.

After all, with featherweight champion Conor McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) likely out of his welterweight non-title UFC 200 pay-per-view headliner with Diaz (19-10 MMA, 14-8 UFC), Poirier is willing to step in as a replacement at the July 9 event, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The possible open slot materialized on Tuesday, when McGregor announced a surprise retirement with a cryptic tweet. UFC President Dana White subsequently confirmed the Irish champ’s removal from UFC 200. Then today, McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) issued a new statement and said he’s still willing to rematch Diaz (19-10 MMA, 14-8 UFC), whom he lost to in March – but only if his promotional/publicity commitments are reduced.

“I don’t know what the hell is going with McGregor, his contract or his retirement – and honestly I really don’t care – but if Nate needs to fight at UFC 200, I want my name to be on the list, on the top of the list,” Poirier told MMAjunkie Radio on Wednesday. “I really feel like that’s a fun fight. I’ve been thinking about that fight for a long time.

“And honestly, man, if that fight doesn’t get you excited – me vs. Nate Diaz – then you’re not a real fight fan. If we get in there, it’s going to be a hell of a fight.”

Of course, Poirier has other pressing matters. Poirier (19-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC), who’s No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, meets Bobby Green (23-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 199, which airs June 4 on PPV from The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Poirier said despite his UFC 200 offer, his fight with Green remains his top priority.

“My focus is 100 percent on Bobby Green and UFC 199,” Poirier said. “I’m in training camp right now, and damn I feel good. I just figure, why not throw my name in the hat?”

And if the UFC is interested, would he scrap the UFC 199 bout? Do both? Play it be ear?

“Honestly, it’ll be up to the UFC,” he said. “I’ll fight the both guys. I don’t care, but if my name would be the one chosen, and if Nate still wants to fight at UFC 200 … I want everyone to know I want that fight if it’s available or they’re trying to find a replacement.”

Check out the interview above.

And for more on UFC 199 and UFC 200, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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