Dustin Poirier has a fight Saturday. Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Poirier snubs Conor McGregor rematch: 'He's retired'

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/26/20

Dustin Poirier believes a victory over Dan Hooker at Saturday's UFC Fight Night show held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas won't be enough, on its own, to earn a rematch with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

That doesn't mean Poirier would embrace a fight with the top big-name challenger who currently has an empty calendar.

While speaking with TMZ Sports about his upcoming UFC main-event battle, Poirier admitted he thinks he needs two consecutive victories before he's offered another shot at Nurmagomedov.

Understandably, this led to a question about Poirier potentially facing former two-division champion Conor McGregor.

"What about him? The guy's retired," Poirier answered.

"I'd love to for the financial part of it, but I'm not chasing grudge matches at this point of my life. I'd rather fight Tony Ferguson and get closer to the title. But we'll see what happens."

Poirier, who fell to Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 last September, was stopped in the first round by McGregor back in 2014.

The outspoken Irishman announced his third UFC "retirement" earlier this spring. Most observers believe he'll return at some point for a significant payday.

The undefeated Nurmagomedov may defend his title versus interim champion Justin Gaethje in September.

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