Thank you, MMA Gods.
UFC 230 was in desperate need of a main event but perhaps there was one staring us right in the face all along.
Diaz is set to return from his two-year spell away from the Octagon against streaking lightweight Dustin Poirier and while the bout was initially scheduled to be the event’s co-headliner, plans have apparently changed.
With no obvious title fights to book, the UFC has seemingly decided to introduce a new weight class, with the winner of Diaz vs. Poirier becoming the inaugural 165lbs champion.
Diaz made the claim on Twitter on Tuesday night and while we’d usually warn fans to take a Diaz statement with a grain of salt, Poirier confirmed the news.
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
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
Poirier has repeatedly asked for a belt to be put on the line in the clash, which will take place on November 3 in New York City.
And ‘The Diamond’ has seemingly got his wish but an official announcement has yet to be made.
The UFC has toyed with the idea of introducing a couple of new weight divisions in recent years as they looked to make more title fights and provide fighters with more suitable weight classes by bridging the gaps between lightweight and welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, and light heavyweight and heavyweight.
165lbs is the ideal division for Diaz, who has fought at welterweight several times and missed weight at 155lbs before.
We haven’t seen Diaz since his pair of 170lbs meetings with Conor McGregor in 2016 while in the past two years, Poirier has gone undefeated in five fights.
Poirier has gone 3-0 in his three most recent outings after rebounding from his No Contest against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 211.
