After practically 14 years within the UFC, Dustin Poirier is seemingly closing in on his retirement struggle.
Dustin Poirier’s Legendary Profession Almost Met Finish in New Jersey final 12 months
Final seen in motion this previous summer time, Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-7 UFC) tried and got here up quick in his third bid for undisputed UFC gold when he misplaced by fifth spherical submission to reigning light-weight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. The defeat was a devastating one for “The Diamond,” who initially contemplated strolling away from the game. Talking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour final June, Poirier seemed to be on the verge of retirement, unwilling to trek up the stacked light-weight ladder once more for an additional title shot.
“I’m leaning in the direction of being achieved,” Dustin Poirier mentioned. “Yeah, for certain. Particularly having received the title struggle, what number of extra occasions would I have to struggle to place myself again ready to struggle for the world?”
Dustin Poirier’s Final Stroll To Octagon Might Simply Come On House Turf
Within the months for the reason that interview, Poirier has remained comparatively silent on his future in fight sports activities. Although he has entertained the thought of constant to struggle, together with a 3rd contest with fellow 155-lb star Justin Gaethje. Nevertheless, the Louisiana native has begun to make waves lately by giving followers extra perception on the place he wish to end out his profession.
Making an look on The Jim Rome Present this previous Friday, Dustin Poirier spoke about his plans to wrap up his UFC tenure, and the place he needs to stroll off into the sundown for the ultimate time as a blended martial artist.
“I’m nonetheless fascinated about it, and me and the UFC, for the previous couple of months, have been engaged on it,” Poirier talked about to Rome. “I got here as much as them with the concept I’d love to put the gloves down the place I picked them up, in Louisiana. The UFC hasn’t been right here in 10 or 11 years, so to carry the group, carry the UFC again to the state of Louisiana and retire right here, it means quite a bit to me, and I do assume it may occur. I feel we’re getting shut. Nothing is for certain but, however this summer time is probably going, I’d say.”
Dustin Poirier Talks Potential Opponents In Final Battle in UFC
Looking for to place a bow on his stellar time within the promotion, Poirier said who he would have favored to have confronted in his concluding journey to the Octagon. His adversary of selection was none aside from the aforementioned Gaethje, who the earlier interim light-weight champion has an thrilling historical past with.
“My first choose once we first began speaking a few retirement in Louisiana was Justin Gaethje as a result of we’re 1-1,” he mentioned. “I beat him, he beat me. I’d hate to shut my profession out with out ending this factor off proper. However after I introduced it to their consideration, he already had a struggle booked in March, I imagine, in opposition to Dan Hooker. Which is an unimaginable struggle. I’m an enormous fan of each guys, and that’s going to be a struggle that you simply can not miss.”
There has additionally been talks a few proposed matchup in opposition to rising English star Paddy Pimblett. Nevertheless, Dustin Poirier dismissed that risk, bluntly stating he solely needs to complete his profession reverse one other revered title within the division.
“That’s an fascinating struggle, however not for my retirement struggle. It’s legends solely, man.”
“Legends solely, man.”@DustinPoirier tells me who he is eyeing for a possible retirement match to shut out his @UFC profession, however it will not be Paddy Pimblett. pic.twitter.com/0V9eGoQcu3
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 8, 2025
The Final Dance for Dustin Poirier
Regardless of acknowledging that there are nonetheless a number of high-profile scraps on the desk ought to he want to proceed preventing, Dustin Poirier firmly insists that his time as a cage fighter will come to an finish after his subsequent bout.
“I’m achieved. I’ve 50-something cage fights,” Dustin Poirier mentioned. “Like I mentioned, I nonetheless have extra to present. There’s plenty of alternatives and large fights that may be made, however I’ve simply been doing it so lengthy, and I’m in a spot with my different ventures and my household. I need to be dwelling in an everyday routine. I’ve given this sport quite a bit, and I feel I’ve given it sufficient.”
