After practically 14 years within the UFC, Dustin Poirier is seemingly closing in on his retirement battle.
Dustin Poirier’s Legendary Profession Practically Met Finish in New Jersey final 12 months
Final seen in motion this previous summer season, Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-7 UFC) tried and got here up brief 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 one more title shot.
“I’m leaning in direction of being executed,” Dustin Poirier mentioned. “Yeah, for certain. Particularly having bought the title battle, what number of extra occasions would I have to battle to place myself again able to battle for the world?”
Dustin Poirier’s Final Stroll To Octagon Might Simply Come On Dwelling 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 concept of continuous to battle, together with a 3rd contest with fellow 155-lb star Justin Gaethje. Nonetheless, the Louisiana native has begun to make waves not too long ago by giving followers extra perception on the place he want 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 combined martial artist.
“I’m nonetheless interested by 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 loads to me, and I do assume it might occur. I believe we’re getting shut. Nothing is for certain but, however this summer season 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 appreciated to have confronted in his concluding journey to the Octagon. His adversary of selection was none apart from the aforementioned Gaethje, who the earlier interim light-weight champion has an thrilling historical past with.
“My first choose after 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 once I introduced it to their consideration, he already had a battle booked in March, I imagine, towards Dan Hooker. Which is an unimaginable battle. I’m a giant fan of each guys, and that’s going to be a struggle that you simply can’t miss.”
There has additionally been talks a few proposed matchup towards rising English star Paddy Pimblett. Nonetheless, Dustin Poirier dismissed that chance, bluntly stating he solely wishes to complete his profession reverse one other revered identify within the division.
“That’s an attention-grabbing battle, however not for my retirement battle. 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, nevertheless 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 combating, Dustin Poirier firmly insists that his time as a cage fighter will come to an finish after his subsequent bout.
“I’m executed. I’ve 50-something cage fights,” Dustin Poirier mentioned. “Like I mentioned, I nonetheless have extra to offer. There’s loads 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 wish to be house in an everyday routine. I’ve given this sport loads, and I believe I’ve given it sufficient.”
