When it comes to the most violent fighters in UFC history, Dustin Poirier’s name always pops up. ‘The Diamond’ has racked up 10 Fight of the Night bonuses, proving he’s never backed down from a scrap. He’s always loved the chaos, but deep down, chasing gold was his biggest motivation. Unfortunately, he’s come up short in four title fights, including the BMF belt. After losing to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier said, “What else am I fighting for? Just to fight for the thrill– because I am addicted to it, no doubt…for the money? I’m good.”
We all thought that was the end, but turns out Poirier still has one last war left in him. Another shot at the BMF belt? Absolutely. A five-round slugfest with Max Holloway? Sign us up for UFC 318. But what really seems to light a fire in ‘The Diamond’ is the chance to fight in front of his hometown crowd at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The last time he fought on home turf was back in 2015 against Yancy Medeiros—the UFC’s last stop in Louisiana. And before he hangs up the gloves, it’s one dream he’s hoping to check off.
As reality starts to sink in, fans are having a hard time accepting that the Louisiana slugger might never step into the Octagon again. Dustin Poirier has been a fan favorite for years, and saying goodbye isn’t easy. Naturally, one big question is floating around: What could make him come back for one more fight? Well, according to his longtime coach Mike Brown, there just might be an answer to that.
During an interview with MMA Fighting, the ATT coach said, “I mean, I think so. You can never say never. But, he has done really good for himself. He has made a boatload of money. He doesn’t need to fight. So, it would have to be something enticing. I mean that could always happen, but I think he’s content with his accomplishments, and content with the money he has made, and what he’s done. So, you know, I think it is.”
Even if Poirier’s on his way to riding off into the sunset, there’s no doubt the offers will start rolling in—big ones, too. Not just from other MMA promotions, but possibly from the boxing world, and maybe even bare-knuckle organizations looking to cash in on his star power. But if he ever does return to the UFC, it’ll need to be something massive. A mega-fight like a fourth showdown with Conor McGregor or a heated grudge match against Michael Chandler. If he’s coming back, it has to serve a real purpose.
MMA: UFC 236- Holloway vs Poirier , Apr 13, 2019 Atlanta, GA, USA Editors Note: Graphic Content Max Holloway red gloves fights Dustin Poirier blue gloves during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. Poirier won by unanimous decision. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports, 14.04.2019 00:55:19, 12531765, State Farm Arena, Dustin Poirier, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxDavidxMercerx 12531765
However, Poirier still has one huge fight ahead, against the legend Max Holloway. And if he can pull off a win, it would be the perfect send-off. At the very least, he’d finally walk away with the BMF belt, the same one that slipped through his hands against Justin Gaethje at UFC 291. But according to his longtime coach Mike Brown, there’s a special twist that could make that victory even sweeter.
Mike Brown says a guillotine win would make Dustin Poirier’s victory sweeter against Max Holloway
Dustin Poirier has pretty much become the leader of the ‘guillie-goose gang’, thanks to his obsession with that guillotine choke. It’s his signature move, even though he’s never actually finished a fight with it. Still, it’s a serious threat. He almost had Khabib with it back at UFC 242. More recently, fans remember UFC 299, where Mike Brown looked absolutely livid every time ‘The Diamond’ jumped for that guillotine against Benoit Saint Denis. And yet, Poirier pulled off a stunning left hook KO right after.
The Chaos is real! And the ATT coach also understands that. So he believes there’d be another career highlight if Poirier could pull off a submission victory against Max Holloway, using that move. Continuing his interview with MMA Fighting, Brown said: “Everyone would be pretty happy with that, I think. That would be pretty cool, you never know. People did not think he was going for rear-naked Chandler. Who ain’t got jiu-jitsu right? No, he’s got jiu-jitsu, people sleep on it.”
Well, Chandler caught a little stray here, but Brown is right. Poirier’s Jiu-Jitsu is kind of underrated, mostly because he doesn’t use it that much. But a guillotine choke victory against Holloway, plus winning a belt on top of that, would tick every box for a fairy tale ending.
That said, what do you think Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight is gonna look like? Is it going to be a five-round war just like last time, or is somebody getting knocked out real quick?
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