Dustin Poirier has no intention of ending his career with a defeat.
That’s why “The Diamond” is currently working with the promotion to secure his final UFC fight, which could come at the end of 2024 or perhaps early 2025. His most recent appearance ended in a submission defeat to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
“The shift needs to be internally for what the motivation for fighting is,” Poirier told the Anik & Florian podcast. “Because if it’s not about the world title, why am I fighting? And after the Islam fight, when I got back home I thought, ‘Maybe this is it?’ A few weeks went by, injuries started hurting less-and-less, and I was like, ‘I’ve got to do this again.’ I’ve never lost two in a row. I can’t leave this sport on a loss.”
Poirier, who is 35 years old, has a record of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 1 no contest, with an impressive total of 13 finishes.
Poirier expressed his desire to fully commit and give his all if he decides to participate again. He emphasized his respect for the sport and his intention to approach it correctly, aiming to emerge victorious and depart on his own terms. However, he acknowledged the uncertainty and the possibility of facing defeat if he were to step back into the ring.
Who is the next opponent for “The Diamond”?
BetOnline.ag has longtime rival Conor McGregor leading the pack at +350, even with “Notorious” (loosely) attached to a Michael Chandler fight later this year. Poirier was first stopped by a featherweight McGregor at UFC 178, then joined the Irishman at lightweight to capture consecutive wins at UFC 257 and UFC 264 in 2021.
These are the latest odds for Poirier’s upcoming fight, determining who his next opponent will be.
Conor McGregor 7/2 (+350)
Charles Oliveira 4/1
Michael Chandler 11/2 (+550)
Beneil Dariush 6/1
Arman Tsarukyan 7/1
Rafael Fiziev 8/1
Max Holloway 9/1
Renato Moicano 10/1
Jalin Turner 12/1
Bobby Green 14/1
Rafael Dos Anjos 14/1
Dan Hooker 20/1
McGregor broke his leg at UFC 264 and has yet to return.
Anik inquired, “Do you think one of these names – Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, or Colby Covington – will be your next opponent?”
“Absolutely,” Poirier replied. “No doubt about it. If I choose to step back into the ring, and I certainly will, it will definitely be one of the fighters you mentioned.”
Maybe this bold prediction was right all along?
