Dana White just said yesterday that Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson would be the next fight they make. Whether or not it will be for the interim lightweight title or the undisputed lightweight title, will depend solely on if and when Conor McGregor decides he is coming back. This leaves Dustin Poirier wondering just who Eddie Alvarez is going to wait and fight. This is the reason why he believes he finally has Alvarez in match-making checkmate.

“It’s the only fight that makes sense right now. There are two guys ranked above me right now, but both of them are coming off losses in their most recent fights. I feel like I’m close to the top, but there is a lot going on right now in my division. If they strip Conor [McGregor] of the title and Tony [Ferguson] and Khabib [Nurmagomedov] fight for the actual title, there is no one else for me to fight but Eddie Alvarez. All roads lead back to that fight. I knew it was going to happen like this, and I think Eddie and I should fight to see who gets the next shot at the title.”

“I can’t be like that crazy ex-girlfriend that follows you around everywhere and hopes you are going to fall back in love with them. I have to keep it moving and life goes on. I can’t make the guy fight me, and neither can the UFC it appears. I heard last week [the UFC] offered Alvarez the fight three separate times and he and his team declined all three. I think it’s kind of funny the ‘Underground King’ or the ‘King of Violence’ whatever that sh-t he’s saying. Turns out he’s actually the f-cking track team captain. We’ll see what happens though. If the UFC calls me with a fight that makes sense then we’ll do it. If the fight is a good opportunity for me and can move me toward the ultimate goal then I’m in. If not, then I’ll wait for the right fight to come along.” — Dustin Poirier speaking to FloCombat.

When Dustin Poirier breaks it down like that, it does make sense. Eddie Alvarez said he’s wanting to put together a ridiculous fight for the last one on his contract, but Edson Barboza doesn’t really sound like that sort of mega fight. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov, Ferguson and McGregor is out of the question. Not to mention, Nate Diaz has allegedly turned down a fight with everyone on the roster. Unless Alvarez wants to sit out and wait for the perfect fight — which there is nothing wrong with — all roads lead back to settling the score with Dustin Poirier and giving that fight a proper ending.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/5/18.