Dustin Poirier isn’t done yet.
In a parallel universe, June’s UFC 302 could have been the perfect storybook championship conclusion to the future Hall of Famer’s career. Unfortunately for Poirier, the UFC’s reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was out of this world, crushing his dreams with a fifth-round Dulce choke submission.
The whispers surrounding Poirier’s bid for an undisputed third UFC title were that win or lose, UFC 302 could be his retirement fight. Afterwards, Poirier admitted that a victory over Makhachev to ultimately clinch the undisputed gold medal would put a definitive end to his rise.
But despite the loss, Poirier (30-9, 1x NC State) put in as brave a performance as ever, proving that at 35 years old, he’s still an elite lightweight in the division. . The result made the idea of retirement even more difficult for Poirier. And now, “The Diamond” revealed on Tuesday that we’ll see him take that step at least one more time.
“I’m going to fight again,” Poirier said on Uncrown’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “We’ll see how this thing plays out when I retire. It could be uno mas (one more) or it could be dos mas (two more).”
“I had a good meeting at UFC headquarters. I went out with Celsius at a trade show and had a good meeting.
“There are some things that we have verbally discussed that seem promising, but we cannot share yet,” he added. “It’s getting closer. It’s the first quarter of next year. (It feels like two more games). I haven’t signed anything. We’re just looking at options and talking about deadlines. I’m confused. I love it, so if it turns out to be a crazy match,” was presented to me, so I have to do it. ”
Proud of his roots, Poirier represents the Louisiana faithful wherever he goes to war around the world. If things go his way, he will be given a send-off at home games.
It’s been almost 10 years since the UFC held an event in the Poirier state. Poirier competed in June 2015 at UFC Fight Night 68 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, where he faced Yancy Medeiros in front of his hometown fans in his second return at lightweight. Poirier won the match by defeating the Hawaiian, known for his durability, with strikes in the first round.
Name a city and Poirier will return to Louisiana. Nothing has been officially announced yet regarding the UFC’s schedule, but Poirier is extremely confident it will happen.
“My goal is to have an event here in Louisiana,” Poirier said. “Whether it’s Lafayette or New Orleans, I want to put my gloves on where I started the fight. That’s my goal. But depending on the opponent’s response, when does it make sense? Are there any?
“I’m confident about 95 percent of the time that I can pull this off. But for me, it’s whether I want to fight before then or not, because the longer I’m away from the sport, the more I feel like I’m being left out. I don’t train every day, sometimes three times a week. But technique and basics need to be put on the mat every day. Until the summer or late next year before they return to Louisiana. So maybe we need a match before that. That way I can stay in the team and stay fresh so that I can retire the way I want, which is to be at the top.”
Ideally, Poirier wouldn’t want to just wait and prolong the end of his career. He has embarked on the idea of ending his illustrious MMA journey where it began, and would be happy to do so sooner if possible. If not, a war in the meantime is welcome.
But who is the most likely choice?
“Everyone in the UFC is dangerous now,” Poirier said. “I’m not looking for a favorable fight. I want the strongest player I can get. I wanted (Justin) Gaethje, I wanted (Dan) Hooker. I want a hard fight. I’m not trying not to lose. I want to fight, but it’s just the situation and the time frame. ”
Poirier suffered significant physical damage from losing Makhachev. Among his list of injuries, the former interim lightweight titleholder entered the bout with a bruised rib and left with a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament and a broken nose.
Poirier said other than not being able to breathe through his nose, he has fully recovered and is ready to go.
When Poirier overlooked his options, Gaethje’s name was the first to come up. The two are currently tied at one point each in their last two games, with Gaethje winning their most recent meeting. Poirier said a rematch of his June 2020 unanimous decision against Hooker would also garner intrigue, especially after the Kiwi’s recent resurgence. And there’s always one fight that got away with it: a welterweight showdown with Nate Diaz.
There’s also Conor McGregor, who needs a potential return opponent after Michael Chandler’s departure.
Poirier isn’t selling the return of “The Notorious.” period. Either way, there’s not much left for him after winning his last two fights by stoppage. But that doesn’t mean their rivalry is over.
During a recent signing with Celsius at a convention in Las Vegas, Poirier recalled walking up to his booth to meet a fan. However, McGregor was also present, and Poirier’s agent sneaked up behind him before steering “The Diamond” away from its destination.
Poirier said there would have been a “big problem” if deputies weren’t on scene.
“We have a very long history,” Poirier said, referring to McGregor. “He said some dirty things. Have you ever watched ‘Family Guy’?” When Peter (Griffin) and the chicken collide, they fight like crazy and fall down a hill. We would have been fighting for an hour.
“One time, when my boyfriend pushed us away and told me what had happened and why he had to turn so far, I thought, ‘If we had made eye contact, If it had been the same, it would have been the worst.”
