Dustin Poirier vs. Tony Ferguson not happening at UFC 254

An anticipated UFC match between lightweights Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson won't be happening at the October UFC 254 show held at the Fight Island location in Abu Dhabi.

"UFC and I didn't come to terms," Poirier told Ariel Helwani of ESPN on Thursday. "I will not be fighting on Oct. 24."

While UFC 254 is currently headlined by the unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov battling Justin Gaethje for the lightweight championship, it's believed a fight between Poirier and Ferguson would've served as a co-main event.

Helwani explained that UFC boss Dana White wanted to add the co-main so both men could enter Fight Island as potential main-event fill-ins if needed. Ferguson would, theoretically, fight Nurmagomedov if Gaethje pulled out or wasn't available for any reason. Poirier, meanwhile, could replace Nurmagomedov if the 31-year-old champion doesn't fight.

The UFC has had to alter cards and postpone multiple fights because of positive coronavirus tests since the promotion resumed running shows amid the pandemic in May.

UFC pay rates have been a hot topic within the mixed martial arts community throughout the pandemic. In June, Jon Jones threatened to hold out for years because he wanted more guaranteed money to return to the octagon. Jones relinquished the light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division in August.