Dustin Poirier Outlines His Retirement Plans – ‘I Wish I Could Tell You More’
Dustin Poirier has given fans a hint over his retirement plans.
Poirier has not fought since UFC 302, when Islam Makhachev submitted him in the last round. Dustin’s defeat meant he failed to pick up the UFC Lightweight Title. That was the third time this had happened after losses to Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Dustin said that after the Islam fight, he could retire, as he would have to weigh up whether he wanted to continue fighting without a title on the line. But since then, he has reversed that decision. The Diamond revealed that he wanted to fight one more time in his hometown of Louisiana before he retires.
Poirier Reacts
“Yeah and I wish I could tell you more. I’ve actually been having calls every week with the UFC, but it’s looking like summer in New Orleans is close to happening for my retirement fight. My pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible. That’s what I’m pushing for, that’s what the UFC’s working towards and things are getting pretty close. Poirier admitted that it would be a dream scenario if the UFC can pull it off. Lay the gloves down where it all started in Louisiana would be an honor for me,” Poirier said
Several names have been put forward. There is the opportunity to have a trilogy with Max Holloway. Dustin has already beaten him on two occasions. Holloway is coming off a loss to Ilia Topuria. The latter knocked him out to retain his UFC Featherweight Belt at UFC 308. It was the first time that Max had been stopped in his career. Holloway has since then said he will move back up to lightweight. The fight would also be for the BMF Belt, as it was not on the line against Topuria. This makes a Dustin fight more likely. But not everyone is on board.
Who Is Next?
“I know that might not be fun for Max, that might not be great for Max, but it would also give him an opportunity to work his way back into contention without being in there with these absolute killers. Personally, I would like to see Max Holloway not stand across from Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje. Alexander Volkanovski then Ilia Topuria, something not as crazy of a challenge,” Daniel Cormier stated
Poirier could also target the winner of Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker. The pair will face off at UFC 313. Dustin has faced Gaethje on two occasions. He secured a win the first time around. However, he was knocked out in their last encounter at UFC 291.
It was a major setback as Dustin missed out on the BMF Belt. That sets up the narrative for a third fight. Equally, Dustin could run things back with Hooker. Dustin has already faced him once and beaten him. But Hooker is on a three-fight win streak and arguably in the best form of his career. If he comes through Justin, that could very well be made. Dustin has plenty of options moving forward.
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