UFC president Dana White has confirmed that featherweight champion Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier will headline UFC 236 in an interim lightweight title fight.
The decision to create an interim 155-pound title was made as a result of the nine-month suspension that current UFC undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is serving for his role in a post-fight brawl at UFC 229 in October.
Poirier (24-5) hasn't fought since July 2018 when he defeated Eddie Alvarez by TKO. The 30-year-old has won eight of his past nine contests, a gauntlet that includes victories of Anthony Pettis, Justin Gathje, and, most recently, Eddie Alvarez. He was supposed to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 230 in November 2018, but pulled out due to a hip injury.
Max Holloway (20-3) won the featherweight title when he defeated Jose Aldo in 2017. He has successfully defended the belt twice since then in a rematch against Aldo (Dec. 2017) and against Brian Ortega (Dec. 2018). Holloway is currently riding a 13-fight win streak.
"Max and I were both kids seven years ago," said Poirier.
"We've both been in the UFC, fighting top competition. That's a lifetime. We're completely different fighters now and this is a completely different fight. Max is a proven, undisputed champion at featherweight. I don't even know if he's in [his] prime yet -- he might be approaching it. He's a tough test for me, and I am for him. I have a lot of respect for Max."
Tony Ferguson was offered the interim lightweight title fight against Holloway, according to White, but turned it down. Ferguson (24-3) defeated Anthony Pettis at UFC 229 in October 2018
UFC 236 will be held on April 13 and will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. An interim middleweight fight between
Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya will serve as the co-main event.