“I know I could compete with the best of these guys. It’s just like, if I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I’ve done that 50 times! I got a little girl I love, but this could be it. Honestly, Joe. I’m not 100%. If that’s my last fight, I want to dedicate this journey to the people who made me the man I am.” That’s what Dustin Poirier told Joe Rogan after a gritty war with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. He was very close to claiming the lightweight crown. And falling short of that ultimate prize? Yeah, that hurts. But for Poirier, that heartbreak wasn’t enough to hang up the gloves. Not yet!
‘The Diamond’ never made it easy for anyone. Almost every time Poirier stepped in against the top dogs, he gave them hell, grit, and everything in between. His UFC story? It’s the kind that hits you in the gut. He fell hard, more than once. But every single time, he clawed his way back, just to give fans a fight worth remembering. At UFC 302, people thought he might be done. But man, did he look sharp. Poirier stuffed takedowns, landed clean shots, and honestly looked as dangerous as ever. For a moment, it felt like he might just pull it off. Then came Islam Makhachev’s sneaky trip into a D’Arce choke. Was it the perfect ending? No. But it was pure respect for Poirier.
Now, Dustin Poirier says he’s ready for the final walk of his career. He sounds at peace with the decision. Still, you can tell that the itch to compete isn’t fully gone. That competitive fire still flickers. Maybe not enough to burn him back into the cage, but just enough to whisper, “One more.” At 36, after years of blood, sweat, and tears, Poirier is one of the most recognized names in the sport. And with all that he’s achieved, he knows one thing for sure. Although Poirier believes that he can still hang with the best, he won’t stick around just for the sake of it. To the Louisiana native, that would be disrespectful to the sport he loves the most.
During an interview with MMA Junkie, Poirier said, “I’m not emotional yet. I’m sure as the time goes there’s gonna be waves of different feelings. Right now, I’m feeling confident and okay with my decision for it to be my last fight. Like, I can still do this with the at the top level for a few more years. I know there’s no doubt in my mind, but it’s just like what am I fighting for? Is it for a paycheck? I don’t wanna disrespect the sport. I’ve always fought to be the world champion. So, if it’s not for a title, then it’s time to go away. You know, I was always chasing the title.”
He added, “And, I’ve been doing it for a long time. My family is good, I’m good. I wanna get out of here with my faculties. Be able to speak and work the desk, be healthy for my daughter and my future kids. You know, so I think it’s time after 18-19 years in this sport. Fighting tooth and nail, bleeding every week. I think it’s a good and a responsible decision and a respect to the sport. In the next I think two weeks, you’ll know!”
The UFC hasn’t officially announced who’ll share the Octagon with ‘The Diamond’ for his final fight. But in a Submission Radio interview, Beneil Dariush dropped a strong hint that Max Holloway, the current BMF champ, could be the one to send him off. And honestly? That matchup just makes sense. Poirier made it clear—he doesn’t want just any fight. For his farewell, it has to be legendary. And who better than ‘Blessed’? The two already have history, their styles guarantee fireworks, and the stakes would be sky-high. More than that, it gives Poirier something he’s quietly chasing: redemption. A shot at reclaiming the belt he lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC 291.
You know what? At this point, Dustin Poirier doesn’t need a belt to prove anything. He’s shown the world who he is, time and time again. The wars he’s been in. Those are the real proofs. Not the gold and the stats. But here’s the thing: how does he feel about it? That matters too. Yeah, he’s got the interim belt. And when you’ve been through the kind of battles he has, that is no less an achievement.
Dustin Poirier opens up about feeling like a world champion amid retirement
Dustin Poirier won three straight bonuses against Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, and Eddie Alvarez. That streak set him up for a shot at Max Holloway, who was still running the featherweight division at the time. They fought for the interim lightweight title, which was five rounds of pure striking brilliance. Poirier won the bout, calling out Khabib Nurmagomedov for the title was also another highlight of his career. ‘The Diamond’ still holds dear that belt and feels like a champion.
Poirier told MMA Fighting, “My Wife tells me I’m a world champion. I felt like a world champion in that moment. Beat a guy who was the current featherweight champion when we fought for the interim belt. It is what it is, I have a gold belt at home that says UFC world champion on it. The fans can do and say whatever they want. But, I worked my a— off for 18 years to reach that night. I’ve tried to make it to the pinnacle, time and time again. This is a rough game. But it is what it is.”
‘The Diamond’ doesn’t need to explain anything to true fans of the sport. Everyone knows Poirier is a fighter’s fighter. The man has given us some incredible storylines in MMA, and massive fights to back it up. It’s only fitting, he has an incredible closing bout on his way out. As one of the most entertaining fighters is on the way to say goodbye, what do you think is the best moment of Dustin Poirier’s career?
The post Unwilling to ‘Disrespect the Sport,’ Dustin Poirier Comes Clean on UFC Retirement Decision Despite Having More in the Tank appeared first on EssentiallySports.
