UFC 242 is just around the corner, and will be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The event, which will take place in Abu Dhabi, will see the return of Khabib after nearly a year.

Before Dustin Poirier won the interim title against Max Holloway, many expected Tony Ferguson to step up and challenge Khabib. However, with Tony out of the picture until earlier this year, UFC made the decision to go ahead with the interim title fight.

For Poirier however, there is no doubt as to who deserves a crack at the title next.

“100 percent it’s Tony Ferguson without a second guess”, “Diamond” told the media during the conference call on Tuesday (transcript via MMA Fighting). “Without any argument, it’s Tony Ferguson. No doubt.”

Ferguson, who himself is a former lightweight champion, had to relinquish the chance of fighting Khabib last year due to a freak injury. Ferguson has been undefeated in his previous 12 fights, and after returning to active competition, was matched up against Anthony Pettis.

Ferguson defeated Pettis at UFC 229 — the same card which saw Khabib beating Conor McGregor in the main event. After the fight with “Showtime”, Ferguson then battled Donald Cerrone, beating “Cowboy” to move one step closer to fighting for the title.

While there is also talk of Conor McGregor returning to action soon, Dustin said he was focused on his fight with Khabib. Poirier did not want to get dragged into a conversation about who should fight for the title next, and said his priority is defeating Khabib in Abu Dhabi.

“Honestly I don’t think about that type of stuff because 25 minutes with Khabib is all I can focus on right now”, Poirier stated. “I can’t disrespect the work that needs to be done Sept. 7.”

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