Tony Ferguson’s return to the octagon has already been lined up, with UFC president Dana White all but confirming it will be against Dustin Poirier.
The American, 36, has not fought since his comprehensive defeat in his lightweight interim title clash with Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May.
Ferguson left the bout heavily bloodied and bruised following a fifth-round stoppage – a loss that ended emphatically his 12-fight win streak that stretched back eight years.
Gaethje had been a late replacement for Khabib Nurmagomedov and will now take on the undefeated lightweight champion at UFC 254 on October 25. The fight is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi.
Despite the defeat to Gaethje, Ferguson remains one of the sport’s standout stars, and has been recently active on social media in teasing a comeback.
Asked following UFC on ESPN 15 on Sunday if Ferguson had a fight lined up with UFC, White said: “We do.”
Pushed if it was Poirier, he smiled before responding: “Probably.”
Poirier last fought in June, when he rebounded from last September’s unification title loss to Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi by claiming a unanimous decision victory against Dan Hooker.
At present, Poirier sits as the No 2-ranked challenger at lightweight, with Ferguson one slot behind. The winner of that encounter would then be in line to face whoever comes out on top in Nurmagomedov-Gaethje.
Although the location of that match-up is yet to be confirmed, it will most likely headline the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi for a second Fight Island series, which could also feature UFC 253 on September 27. Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s title defence against Paulo Costa tops that event.
The inaugural Fight Island run took place on Yas Island last month and comprised four events, including the hugely successful UFC 251 that hosted three title fights.
When it was put to White again on Sunday if the UFC planned to return to capital, he replied: “We’ll go back to Fight Island. We’ll have some announcements soon. We’re just getting everything dialled in.”
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UFC 251: A great night in Abu Dhabi
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Kamaru Usman of Nigeria celebrates after his victory over Jorge Masvidal in their welterweight championship fight during the UFC 251 event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in July 2020. Getty -
Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal talk after their fight. Getty -
Jorge Masvidal punches Kamaru Usman. Getty -
Jorge Masvidal punches Kamaru Usman. Getty -
Alexander Volkanovski of Australia celebrates after his split-decision victory over Max Holloway in their UFC featherweight bout. Getty -
Max Holloway kicks Alexander Volkanovski. Getty -
Petr Yan of Russia celebrates after his TKO victory over Jose Aldo in their UFC bantamweight fight. Getty -
Petr Yan of Russia elbows Jose Aldo of Brazil. Getty -
Petr Yan punches Jose Aldo. Getty -
Rose Namajunas celebrates after her split-decision victory over Jessica Andrade in their strawweight fight. Getty -
Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade trade punches. Getty -
Rose Namajunas lands a punch on Jessica Andrade. Getty -
Amanda Ribas of Brazil celebrates after her victory over Paige VanZant in their flyweight fight. Getty -
Paige VanZant knees Amanda Ribas. Getty -
Amanda Ribas kicks Paige VanZant. Getty -
Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic celebrates after his knockout victory over Volkan Oezdemir in their light heavyweight fight. Getty -
Jiri Prochazka and Volkan Oezdemir exchange blows. Getty -
Volkan Oezdemir of Switzerland punches Jiri Prochazka. Getty -
Muslim Salikhov of Russia reacts after his decision victory over Brazil's Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in their welterweight fight. Getty -
Muslim Salikhov punches Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Getty -
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Brazil punches Muslim Salikhov. Getty -
Makwan Amirkhani of Finland after his win over Danny Henry in their featherweight fight. Getty -
Makwan Amirkhani after his submission victory over Danny Henry. Getty -
Makwan Amirkhani secures an anaconda choke submission against Danny Henry. Getty -
Leonardo Santos of Brazil reacts after his decision victory over Russia's Roman Bogatov in their lightweight fight. Getty -
Leonardo Santos punches Roman Bogatov. Getty -
Roman Bogatov and Leonardo Santos trade punches. Getty -
Roman Bogatov kicks Leonardo Santos. Getty -
Marcin Tybura of Poland celebrates after defeating Russia's Maxim Grishin in their heavyweight fight. Getty -
Maxim Grishin punches Marcin Tybura. Getty -
Maxim Grishin punches Marcin Tybura. Getty -
Marcin Tybura grapples with Maxim Grishin. Getty -
Brazil's Raulian Paiva after his decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov of Kazakhstan in their flyweight fight. Getty -
Zhalgas Zhumagulov punches Raulian Paiva. Getty -
Zhalgas Zhumagulov punches Raulian Paiva. Getty -
Raulian Paiva punches Zhalgas Zhumagulov. Getty -
Brazil's Karol Rosa celebrates after her victory over countrywoman Vanessa Melo in their bantamweight fight. Getty -
Karol Rosa of Brazil before the fight on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Erica Elkhershi / The National -
Karol Rosa punches Vanessa Melo. Getty -
Karol Rosa punches Vanessa Melo. Getty -
Vanessa Melo punches Karol Rosa. Getty -
Davey Grant of England after his knockout victory over countryman Martin Day in their bantamweight fight. Getty -
Davey Grant punches Martin Day. Getty -
Martin Day kicks Davey Grant. Getty -
Davey Grant launches a flying knee against Martin Day. Getty -
A general view of the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island prior to the UFC 251 event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Erica Elkhershi / The National -
A general view of the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island prior to the UFC 251 event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Erica Elkhershi / The National -
A general view of the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island prior to the UFC 251 event on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Jeff Bottari / Getty Images / Zuffa LLC -
A general view of the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island prior to the UFC 251 event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. John McAuley / The National -
A general view of the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island prior to the UFC 251 event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. John McAuley / The National
