If you ask Dustin Poirier about his medium-term goal, it would be to retire where he began his MMA journey. In fact, even during his interview with Ariel Helwani, the ‘Diamond’ revealed that his plan is to hang up his gloves in his home state of Louisiana. It has been something he had been wanting for a long time, but now he wishes to act on it after his 5th-round loss to Islam Makhavhev at UFC 302 back in June.
During a September meeting of the Louisiana State Boxing & Wrestling Commission, MMA Junkie reported that the members of the commission talked about how the Dana White-led promotion was interested in heading to New Orleans sometime in 2025, hopefully in the first quarter. Now, with us being just days away from 2025, Dustin Poirier has hinted at a fight brewing pretty soon.
During an interview with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, ‘DC’ remarked that ‘Diamond’ must’ve had his eyes set on a return to the Octagon by now. To this, the former interim UFC lightweight champion claimed that there are ongoing talks happening between him and the UFC, putting Dana White on alert to be prepared for his final fight. He said, “I do, and me and the UFC are close on making it happen. Hopefully I’ll have some news for you guys soon.”
Dustin Poirier provides an update on his return:
“Me and the UFC are close on making it happen. Hopefully I’ll have some news for you guys soon.”
@espnmma #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/6LON5OU157
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 18, 2024
Well, it surely looks like fans can finally get to see Dustin Poirier in action. However, the sad part is that it may also turn out to be his very last dance in the Octagon. But who will he fight next? Is an opponent decided yet for the UFC lightweight? Well, there are a few possible names who might end up being the ones to fight the ‘Diamond’ one last time.
Dustin Poirier’s call for a retirement opponent
In search of an opponent for his retirement fight, Dustin Poirier turned his attention to Ilia Topuria a few months ago. After Topuria’s spectacular KO victory over Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, Poirier publicly demanded a fight with ‘El Matador.’ “I want Max or Topuria,” he wrote on X. Although it is unlikely, if not impossible, that he will receive a fight with Topuria.
So, a rematch with Holloway sounds more than feasible. Another opponent could be Justin Gaethje, as the two would want to complete their trilogy, while it may also turn out to be Gaethje’s last outing as well. In the case of Gaethje, who is coming off a chilling KO at the hands of Max Holloway at UFC 300, the fighter has already warned that if he suffers the same fate again, then he will retire. Interestingly, after his brutal loss to Poirier in 2019, ‘The Highlight’ claimed that he had “five wars” left in the UFC. He has fought ten fights since then.
Despite this, the duo have been legends of the sport and two of the fiercest fighters that the Octagon has ever seen. So, seeing the two retire at the same time after a fight against one another would definitely be one that would sell out all the UFC gates in the past. What do you think? Who will Dustin Poirier’s final opponent be? Let us know in the comments.
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