MMA News: Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier in the Works for UFC 270
Oliveira, Poirier, and Chandler Expected to Headline January 22 Event
Charles Oliveira's first title defense could come against Dustin Poirier. According to ESPN's Brett Okamoto, the UFC is targeting Oliveira vs. Poirier for UFC 270 on January 22.
Okamoto reports that verbal agreements are in place for the lightweight title fight. Contracts have yet to be signed, but the UFC expects to finalize the matchup shortly.
Oliveira (32-8, 1 NC) won the vacant lightweight title in May with a second-round submission win over Michael Chandler. The victory extended his winning streak to nine fights.
Poirier (28-6, 1 NC) is coming off a submission loss to Oliveira's predecessor as champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in December 2019. Poirier has won two straight fights since then, including a unanimous decision win over Conor McGregor in January.
Chandler Expected to Face Justin Gaethje
If Oliveira vs. Poirier is finalized, it will leave Michael Chandler without an opponent for UFC 270. However, Okamoto reports that the UFC is working on booking Chandler against Justin Gaethje.
Chandler (22-6) is coming off a five-round war with Oliveira at UFC 262 in May. Gaethje (22-3) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler in November 2020.
Oliveira vs. Poirier and Chandler vs. Gaethje would be two of the biggest fights the UFC could make at lightweight. All four fighters are ranked among the top five in the division, and they all have a legitimate claim to a title shot.
