Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier Claim To Be Fighting For UFC’s Inaugural 165-Pound ‘Superfighter’ Title, Dana White Deny The Reports
There’s no ultimate proof the UFC is ready to pull the trigger on the idea of adding a new 165-pound weight class in their roster, but there has been a lot of talk about it amongst fighters. In the start of 2018, rumors of a new 165-pound belt started to come to limelight, when Conor McGregor was ready to take the fight with Frankie Edgar at UFC 222, but he wanted it to be for a title in a new 165-pound weight class.
It appears that UFC doesn’t need to look elsewhere to fill the upcoming UFC 230 pay-per-view main event. As on Tuesday both lightweight contenders Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier took to social media and claimed to be fighting each other in the main event of UFC 230 for promotion’s inaugural 165-pound ‘super fighter’ title. The bout initially announced as co-main, but now both fighters believe it could be perfectly suitable for top billing.
I’m Happy to announce that I’m bringing a new weight devision to the Ufc
I’ll be fighting the main event November 3rd in nyc against Dustin Poirier for the first ever 165lb belt superfighter devision
I’m happy to be apart of history @ufc @danawhite
I’m Happy to announce that I’m bringing a new weight devision to the Ufc
I’ll be fighting the main event November 3rd in nyc against Dustin Poirier for the first ever 165lb belt superfighter devision
I’m happy to be apart of history @ufc @danawhite— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) September 26, 2018
Its been a long journey but here we are. NYC 1st ever 165lb Title in the UFC! #THEREWILLBEBLOOD #THUGJITSU
Its been a long journey but here we are. NYC 1st ever 165lb Title in the UFC! #THEREWILLBEBLOOD #THUGJITSU
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 26, 2018
UFC head honcho Dana White who was quick to deny the reports during a phone call with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Just spoke to Dana White on the phone, he denied any plans of a 165-pound title fight at Madison Square Garden. Says he’s still working on a main event for UFC 230.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 26, 2018
Just spoke to Dana White on the phone, he denied any plans of a 165-pound title fight at Madison Square Garden. Says he’s still working on a main event for UFC 230.
I reached Nate Diaz (@NateDiaz209) via text.
His only comment: “I’m fighting for that main event 165lb title.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 26, 2018
I reached Nate Diaz (@NateDiaz209) via text.
His only comment: “I’m fighting for that main event 165lb title.”
Poirier who had already been calling for main headliner bout at UFC 230 and Daiz is fully supporting that idea. Adding a 165-pound division to promotion mean filling the gap between lightweight and welterweight, for those who have weight cutting issues, which become a major issue in the sport of MMA.
I hear UFC is searching for a main event when they have one already. It's me vs Nate. 165 pound title. A main event for the people. Stop searching, Dana. We got this. Let's go.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 25, 2018
UFC have some difficult time finding a suitable headliner for UFC 230 after much talk of Colby Covington versus Tyron Woodley isn’t headling anymore as ‘Chosen One’ needs surgery to his injured thumb. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, UFC is exploring the idea of introducing the interim title fight for upcoming UFC 230 PPV main event slot even though White shot down the talk of a former champion Jon Jones return last week.
With no champions available, UFC is discussing adding an interim title fight to the MSG card, sources tell @espn. It’s not finalized yet, though. Tickets go on sale tomorrow and they’d like to have a main event place by then, if possible.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 26, 2018
Several notable names supported the idea, like Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, Michael Chiesa, Diego Sanchez, and champion Tyron Woodley said they would love to be part of if the UFC were to add this new weight class.
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) September 26, 2018
I hear the 165lb division is here let’s do this I’m coming for my destiny #ufcchampion #2019 #37 #nightmare
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) September 26, 2018
If @ufc make 165lbs division you can count on me for that run.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) September 25, 2018
UFC 230 PPV tickets are set to go on sale to the general public this Fri. (Sept. 28) at 10 a.m. ET despite no main event.
