Dustin Poirier names one fighter who could end his retirement

Dustin Poirier has named the one fighter who could pull him out of retirement.

The former UFC lightweight title challenger said he would return to the cage only to face Nate Diaz, according to a video shared by Sherdog. "I still want to whip Nate's ass," Poirier said. "I'll come back to fight him."

Why Poirier wants the Diaz fight

Poirier, who retired after his lightweight title loss to Islam Makhachev in June 2024, has long been linked to a potential clash with Diaz. The two former contenders have circled each other for years without ever meeting inside the octagon, despite both building fan-favorite reputations and similar career arcs at 155 pounds.

Diaz left the UFC in 2022 after his contract expired and has since competed in boxing, most recently losing a decision to Jorge Masvidal in July 2024. His MMA future remains uncertain, though he has hinted at interest in bare-knuckle fighting and a possible return to the cage under a different promotion.

Whether the UFC would sanction the matchup if both men wanted it — or if Diaz would return to the promotion — remains to be seen. For now, Poirier's retirement stands, with one notable exception hanging over it.

Source: sherdog.com