UFC 230 may or may not have a main event, but Nate Diaz vs. Dustin Poirier for a 165lb title certainly would be an interesting option.
Well, things just got a little more interesting as far as UFC 230 is concerned. The card, going down at Madison Square Garden in New York in November, has been searching for a main event for a while. To date, the biggest names in the mix have been Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz, already announced as competing at the show. With Diaz being one of the UFC’s bigger draws (thanks in part to Conor McGregor), however, a solution might be to just promote the pair to the main event. That’s something Poirier has been pushing for.
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
The 165lb title is an interesting suggestion. The weight class does not currently exist in the UFC, but a number of fighters including Kevin Lee, Michael Chiesa, and even welterweight champ Tyron Woodley have expressed interest in it. The California State Athletic Commission also recognizes the weight class for MMA.
Not too long after Poirier’s suggestion, Nate Diaz then tweeted that the pair were, in fact, fighting for a 165lb belt.
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
Poirier seemingly confirmed the news.
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
So, everything has fallen into place, right? Two major lightweight stars moving up to 165lbs to launch a new division in the UFC. It’s worth noting that the 155lb and 170lb weight classes are the deepest in the UFC, and frankly the sport, making a new division very possible. Well, not so fast. UFC Pesident Dana White has told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that there’s no truth to Diaz and Poirier’s claims.
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
Now, it’s worth noting that Dana White has made similar denials before. Brock Lesnar not coming back, Georges St. Pierre not fighting again. White enjoys surprising fans as best he can. He also “cut” Yair Rodriguez, announcing the news via Okamoto, only to smooth things over with the fighter and re-sign him.
In other words, we’re not going to know for sure until the UFC officially announces the main event for the card, which is barely over a month away. UFC 230 takes place November 3, 2018 at MSG in New York City.
