Poirier: 'I'll never fight' Covington in UFC
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier doesn't intend to square off with Colby Covington in the future.
"I'll never fight Colby in an Octagon where there's finances on the line," Poirier told reporters Saturday, according to MMA Junkie.
Poirier and Covington were teammates at American Top Team in Florida until Covington left the gym in 2020. However, in a similar fashion to Covington's falling out with Jorge Masvidal, their beef began in the media even before Covington's departure.
There has been some talk in recent years about a potential bout between Poirier and Covington should Poirier move up to the welterweight division. But "The Diamond" suggested he would only throw down with Covington in an unsanctioned manner.
"If I fight Colby, we're both going to jail. I'm going to jail," Poirier said. "I'm not going to fight him in the Octagon. He's not making money off of my career and what I've done. This is something different. You will never see me fight Colby Covington in the UFC."
Poirier is looking to return to the win column after losing to Charles Oliveira in a lightweight title bout in December. Next, he's targeting a fight with Nate Diaz.
Meanwhile, Covington is scheduled to headline UFC 272 next month in a welterweight grudge match against Masvidal.