For a good chunk of time earlier this year, all Dustin Poirier wanted was another 15 minutes with ex-champ Eddie Alvarez.

After their May showdown at UFC 211 was ruled a no-contest, Poirier wanted to take out his frustration on Alvarez over losing half his purse.

Poirier (21-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) talked up a rematch. He appealed the official result and waited for the UFC to compensate his loss. Then Alvarez (28-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) got booked as a coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 26” opposite surging lightweight Justin Gaethje (18-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC).

When the UFC called Poirier offering a bout with ex-champ Anthony Pettis (20-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC), it didn’t exactly come as good news.

“My first original thought was, ‘Where the (expletive) is Eddie Alvarez?'” Poirier told MMAjunkie Radio. “But then I said alright.”

Then, the MMA veteran thought about it and drew some positives: another chance to beat an ex-champion, a fighter coming off a win and a main-card spot on FS1 at UFC Fight Night 120, which takes Saturday at Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va.

“This is a fun, exciting fight,” Poirier said. “This guy is another former world champion. What can I really be upset about? It’s a main event fight – we’re all eyes on us – against another world champion, and I’ll just show again what kind of caliber fighter I am.”

Since moving up from the featherweight division, Poirier is 5-1 as a lightweight with the one no-contest from his meeting with Alvarez. A win over Pettis will undoubtedly benefit his resume and perhaps get him the type of fights he’s looking for – title eliminators.

At No. 13 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, Poirier has a chance to take a step up by beating No. 11 Pettis.

Is Alvarez off his radar? No, but there’s a different target right now.

“I’ve been training 12 weeks for Anthony Pettis, so that’s all I’m focused on right now,” Poirier said. “After Nov. 11, we’ll see what the future holds. But right now, it’s all about Pettis.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 120, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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