“There will be blood. See you soon,” Dustin Poirier tweeted in his trademark fashion, promising violence and spectacle as he gears up for his retirement fight. A classic Poirier move, hyped up, ready for war, and embracing the chaos. But before he could even strap up his gloves, he got hit with an unexpected left hook. Not in the cage, but on Instagram. And the culprit? None other than the king of unsolicited opinions, Nate Diaz.
And this wasn’t just any L. This one came with a reality check wrapped in pure, unfiltered Stockton disrespect. Diaz, never one to hold back, mocked Poirier’s reluctance to fight #12 ranked 155fer Paddy Pimblett, storying a blunt message: “Fight Paddy p–sy. He better than you.” Just like that, Poirier’s grand plans for a “legends only” farewell fight took a hit. Instead of celebrating his final dance in the Octagon, he’s now dealing with a full-blown narrative shift, one that suggests he’s ducking a rising star.
NEW YORK CITY, NY – NOVEMBER 12: L-R Dustin Poirier looks on during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022, in New York City, New York, United States.
To be fair, ‘The Diamond’ has been crystal clear, his last fight isn’t going to be just another paycheck. After coming up short against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, he teased retirement before deciding he had one last war left in him. His dream scenario? A high-stakes trilogy with Justin Gaethje, in his home state.
But the UFC had other plans, booking Gaethje to fight Dan Hooker at UFC 313. With options dwindling, some fans floated Pimblett as a possible opponent. Poirier wasn’t having it. “It’s 100% not Paddy Pimblett. Legends only. I’m not gonna retire fighting Paddy Pimblett,” he declared, shutting down the idea before it gained traction. But is ‘The Baddy’ really beneath him? That’s the question Diaz seems to be posing.
Is Dustin Poirier setting up a legendary exit or a convenient escape?
The outspoken Stockton native believes the young Liverpool fighter is a better challenge than Poirier is willing to admit. And given Diaz’s history of facing rising stars and established names alike, he’s no stranger to the game of gatekeeping. The #4 contender, however, sees his career through a different lens.
He’s been through wars, fought the best, and even held an interim title. Fighting Pimblett, who, despite his growing popularity, hasn’t faced top-tier competition, feels like a step-down. “I have 50-something cage fights… I’ve given this sport a lot, and I think I’ve given it enough,” Poirier said, making it clear that his priorities are shifting toward family and life outside the cage.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 13: Dustin Poirier reacts after defeating Max Holloway in their interim lightweight championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
But Diaz’s criticism stings because it taps into a deeper debate, should veterans control their exits, or should they be willing to test themselves against the new wave? Poirier believes he’s earned the right to call his shot. And ‘The Diamond’, to his credit, has earned his stripes. After pushing the current #1 P4P to his limits, the Dagestani champ will remember the Louisiana native with a customized battle scar right on his forehead till the end of time.
He’s fought killers, putting on bangers, and beaten the likes of Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, and Michael Chandler. The man’s resume speaks for itself. And now, as he prepares to enter the Octagon for the final time, the fan-favorite is ensuring he gets the moment he deserves. His iconic hair adjustment and trademark shorts tug will forever be etched in MMA history.
But The Stockton slugger’s jab wasn’t just about Pimblett being “better.” It was about challenging the idea that Poirier should get a custom-made farewell, free from risks. And let’s be honest, the #12 contender is a winnable fight for Poirier. But it’s also the kind of matchup that could backfire spectacularly. A loss to the loudmouthed Liverpool fighter on the way out? That’s the kind of nightmare Poirier doesn’t want.
So what do you think? Does Poirier stick to his guns, holding out for a “legend” while the UFC plays hardball? Or does he take the Diaz challenge seriously, step into the cage with Pimblett, and risk everything in one final proving ground? If Diaz has his way, Poirier won’t be getting the smooth, storybook exit he envisioned. Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Dustin Poirier Takes His Biggest L Before Retirement as Nate Diaz Mocks Paddy Pimblett UFC Verdict appeared first on EssentiallySports.
