Dustin Poirier: ‘I want Nate Diaz, how bout that?’

Dustin Poirier is fresh off a bonus-winning “Fight of the Night” unanimous decision victory over Jim Miller at UFC 208. Now, the UFC lightweight is looking to climb up the rankings and get back on his way to title contention.

Poirier spoke with MMA Junkie Radio recently and said that he has Nate Diaz in his sights but questions what Diaz’s plans are with the UFC.

“Man, I want Nate Diaz, how about that?” Poirier said. “How bout that? Is he going to sit around and wait around for Conor (McGregor) for couple more years and waste the prime of his life, the prime of his career, or is he going to throw some hands, you know? That’s what I want to know.”

Poirier was asked if there was any bad blood between Diaz and himself and “The Diamond” said that he is respectful of all the fighters that step into the Octagon.

“I respect all these guys, man,” Poirier said. “I know sometimes in the past I’ve gotten heated with guys, but that’s just in the moment. I respect anybody who makes that walk to the octagon and fights for a living and fights for their family and puts it on the line. Every one of these guys is a warrior and gets nothing but respect from me, man.”

“I respect Nate but he’s in my way, you know? He’s in the top 10,” Poirier stated on his reasoning for calling out Diaz. “He’s in my way to a title shot. I want him, I want Michael Chiesa. I want anybody in the top 10 who is gonna take the damn fight. Before I fought Jim, I was trying to get these guys.”

Do you want to see Nate Diaz vs. Dustin Poirier go down in the Octagon? Sound off in the comment section!

This article first appeared on 2/14/2017.