“The reason why this is happening with Dustin Poirier is because Dana White used, he tried to, he did, he (explicit) Tony (Ferguson) and Dustin. He said (explicit) you guys, I’m going to take Chandler, and he’s going to be the backup for this title fight. That all happened four months ago. We are humans, we have morals.” Rewind to 2021 when Justin Gaethje unleashed his frustrations on Dana White & Co. for turning the UFC’s most stacked division’s title picture into a chaotic mess. This stemmed from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s departure from the promotion, resulting in the belt being vacated.
The UFC matched Michael Chandler (who just had one win against Dan Hooker) against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262. This supposedly meant putting Dustin Poirier’s future in limbo. Moreover, Gaethje called the decision a “total mess,” but ‘The Diamond’ later explained he had turned down a fight with the Brazilian for the 155lbs title to pursue a more lucrative trilogy bout with Conor McGregor—whom he had already beaten at UFC 257. Talk about a division being in limbo! Fast forward to 2025, and the lightweight division remains stacked, yet even messier than before. So, who is to blame this time?
While Dana White hasn’t made significant moves, the situation seems more rooted in the fighters themselves. The top seven guys—Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier, Dan Hooker, and the champ Islam Makhachev are all waiting on the sidelines for their next outing. Moreover, the entry of Ilia Topuria from 145lbs to the lightweight title picture hasn’t done the promotion any favors.
Amidst this uncertainty, Poirier has already made his decision and is looking for his “last dance” which is slated to take place in the summer in his hometown of Louisiana. This has excited fans and drawn attention from former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Bobby Knuckles, who recently discussed the UFC 155lbs division’s “mess” on the MMArcade podcast on YouTube, finds it both “wicked” and “exciting.”
‘The Reaper’ shared his thoughts on ‘The Diamond’s remarkable career, saying, “It is just death row, right? You know, I was looking at Dustin Poirier’s fight record just before this episode. It’s wild. It’s so good, man and It’s wild, man. So good to see. Yeah, it’s just… it’s just death row in the lightweight division at the moment. Like, the top five dudes that guard up there right now, it’s just killers, man.”
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Dustin Poirier take part in a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz in central London to discuss their upcoming title bout UFC 242 which is to be held in Abu Dhabi. Press conference held at Hotel Cafe Royal, 68 Regent Street, London on 12 June 2019. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xAndyxRowlandx PMI-2865-0019
Moreover, the soon-to-be former featherweight champ himself confirmed his decision to vacate his gold to challenge Islam Makhachev for an immediate lightweight title shot, further complicating the division’s already chaotic landscape. However, Makhachev and his team have rejected Topuria’s request for an immediate title shot, insisting that Topuria must first prove himself against a top contender.
Oliveira and Gaethje are laser-focused on securing their respective title shots, leaving Topuria to navigate the chaotic lightweight waters on his own. Tsarukyan is also rising as a strong contender, with his eyes firmly set on the title. However, despite the presence of seven top fighters in the lightweight division, none of them are scheduled for upcoming bouts! Crazy when you think about it.
Ultimately, it’s up to Dana White and the UFC to decide how to handle the situation. The stakes are high, and the outcome remains uncertain. As for Dustin Poirier, it’s “uno más,” and Dana White reportedly has a plan in mind. Let’s see what the UFC vet has to say next.
What’s the plan that Dana White and the UFC have for Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight?
Dustin Poirier may not have captured the gold strap throughout his illustrious career. But his legacy has cemented him as a true “fighter’s fighter.” He once famously stated, “Destiny doesn’t make mistakes,” and now, at 36 years old, ‘The Diamond’ has earned the respect of some of the sport’s greatest, including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Having been in the game since he reached adulthood, Poirier is preparing for his final fight. Recognizing the significance of this moment, the UFC is giving him a fitting farewell. He’s chosen to retire in the place where it all began—Louisiana, a location the UFC hasn’t visited since 2015.
After a decade, Dana White and the UFC are finally returning. However, the question of who will face Dustin Poirier remains unanswered. Will it be Justin Gaethje or Max Holloway, with whom the Louisiana native has a long-awaited “trilogy”? Or could it be someone else entirely? UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush may have some insight into this situation. Speaking to Submission Radio three weeks ago, Dariush mentioned, “Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway are going to fight. That’s what I’m hearing. I don’t know if it’s 100% sealed and done, but that’s what I’m hearing.”
So, what’s your take on Dustin Poirier’s legacy? Do you believe it could eventually surpass the lasting impact of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s and Conor McGregor’s legacies? Share your thoughts below!
The post “It’s Just a Death Row” – Robert Whittaker Makes a Confession on Dustin Poirier’s ‘Wicked’ Record Ahead of His UFC Retirement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
