Dustin Poirier Wants One More Shot to Avoid Ending UFC Career on Sour Note
Dustin Poirier wants a more storybook ending to his career in the UFC. History usually indicates that fighters who have difficulty walking away from the sport suffer a horrifying defeat before they are finally convinced to give things up. Poirier is now at a crossroads following his unsuccessful challenge of Islam Makhachev for the championship at UFC 302.
While Poirier was a game challenger, Makhachev was ahead on the scorecards when he wrapped up a submission in the fifth round. MMAfighting latest news shows that Poirier reconsidered his initial plan to retire. But the question for Poirier is what should come next?
Following the loss to Makhachev, Poirier, who is a former interim champion, has lost all three of his attempts to win the lightweight belt. Seeing Poirier in another title fight seems improbable, barring an unlikely circumstance.
Here’s a look at a few fights that make sense for Poirier.
Finish the Trilogy With Gaethje
Poirier and Justin Gaethje have been two of the most exciting lightweights in the world over the past five years. Both men have been interim champions and fought many other top fighters in the division. Poirier and Gaethje also have plenty of history with each other.
Their last meeting produced a spectacular outcome, according to MMA news sites. Poirier and Gaethje fought at UFC 291 to determine the symbolic “BMF” title. It was thought that whoever won that fight would earn a shot at the title.
Gaethje won via a head-kick KO in the second round. Instead of a title shot, Gaethje was rewarded with an opportunity to fight at UFC 300 in a super fight with Max Holloway.
Gaethje lost that fight in spectacular fashion. During a wild exchange late in the fight, Holloway slumped Gaethje with one second left in the bout. Poirier did beat Gaethje during their first meeting in April 2018.
Poirier and Gaetheje both swung for the fences and produced two memorable fights. Maybe Poirier would like to close the book on that rivalry and his career at the same time.
McGregor is Worth Mentioning
Everyone wants to fight Conor McGregor. It’s hard to know, as the time from his last fight gets further away in the rear-view mirror, whether he wants to anymore. The latest MMA updates indicate there are some rumblings that Poirier could hop in front of Michael Chandler, who has been patiently waiting to fight McGregor for nearly two years.
Poirier is the last fighter to stand across from McGregor in the octagon. During that fight, McGregor suffered a serious leg injury at the end of the first round that forced the bout to be stopped. Poirier has won two of the three fights between him and McGregor.
But the appeal of this fight is the buildup. There is real animosity between Poirier and McGregor that hasn’t healed. Part of that is because McGregor said many unsavory things about Poirier’s wife. A fourth fight between the two would be well-received.
Chandler May Like a Word
A less appealing option for Poirier may be another fight with Chandler. Poirier submitted Chandler in the third round at UFC 281. It was a wild fight that saw both fighters nearly finish the fight several times.
But how Chandler fought may discourage Poirier from agreeing to fight him again. During the fight, Poirier accused Chandler of using illegal tactics. Replays showed Chandler did stick his fingers into Poirier’s mouth to execute a “fishhook.”
No matter how dirty Chandler’s tactics are, there is no arguing he is an excellent fighter. Chandler also likes to finish fights, so Poirier could end his career with another knockout if he takes on the dangerous former Bellator champion.
Chandler is adamant about fighting McGregor. However, if the Irish star never returns, a rematch with Poirier would be intriguing.
Colby Covington Hasn’t Been Heard From in A While
It is likely that Colby Covington’s time as a top UFC fighter is over. During Covington’s light fight, a welterweight title fight with Leon Edwards, he looked old and ineffective. When Covington was unable to get his grappling going against Edwards, he was picked apart on the feet.
While Covington is a welterweight, this fight has some appeal because of how Covington has taken shots at Poirier’s wife. There doesn’t seem to be much history between Poirier and Covington outside of the cage. It is more than probable that Covington doesn’t know Jolie Poirier.
However, Covington does know that talking about her irritates Dustin, and that may be enough for him. One thing holding this fight back may be a difficulty agreeing on a weight class. Covington’s reputation also took a big dip after he lost to Edwards.
Should Poirier Just Retire?
Poirier is in the danger zone for an athlete in any sport. While Poirier’s skills are still sharp, there could be a day when he goes into the octagon and his body betrays him. Poirier, 35, has been fighting professionally since 2009.
Since Poirier debuted, he has now appeared in the cage 40 times over his career. Poirier is 30-9 with one no contest. He has won 23 of his 30 victories by finish. Other than winning a unified lightweight title, there isn’t much to accomplish.
Poirier is happily married and has a young daughter. It may be better for him to relax and focus on family. Poirier’s wife likes to sell hot sauce, and they seem to have plenty of interests outside of fighting.
Poirier once said that if he wasn’t going after the belt, he should not be fighting. Opportunities to be a champion in the UFC have likely gone out the window. It is time to get on to the next stage of life. Poirier will need to figure that part out for himself.
There aren’t many fairy tale endings for fighters.
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By Dean McHugh.
