ABU DHABI – Dustin Poirier thinks nothing came out of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s meeting with Dana White.

During the UFC’s third stint on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, the recently retired lightweight champion met with White to discuss his future. Afterwards, the UFC president claimed Nurmagomedov told him he’d be open to returning if one of the top lightweights really impressed him.

With a massive lightweight clash between Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC) and Conor McGregor headlining Saturday’s UFC 257 event, a new No. 1 contender will likely be cemented.

But despite all this, Poirier thinks the title picture remains unclear.

“I thought we would have some clarity of whether he was retired or not,” Poirier told MMA Junkie. “I didn’t think it was going to be a gray (area). I thought it was going to be black or white, a yes or no. We’re pretty much in the same position we were before they had the meeting.”

With Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) never officially vacating his championship, Poirier wasn’t expecting his rematch with McGregor to be for the title, but he certainly sees big implications with a win.

“I didn’t think there would be a belt tossed on this one because Dana has already said there’s no way this fight is going to be for a belt, so I believed him when he said that,” Poirier said. “I think the winner of this fight fights for the belt next. I think everybody knows that. But I would’ve liked to have had a definite answer, but it’s all good. It is what it is. I have to fight first.

“The plan is to beat Conor McGregor by any means necessary. Blood and guts and fight for the world title again.”