Dustin Poirier Rules Out One Heated Rival for UFC Retirement Fight

UFC veteran Dustin Poirier responds to the rumors that he's fighting Colby Covington next.

Christopher De Santiago | Sep 4, 2024

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Anytime, anywhere. Dustin Poirier will fight just about anyone the UFC puts in front of him, but there's one fighter he isn't so keen on facing - fellow former interim champion Colby Covington.

There's no love lost between Poirier (30-9) and his former teammate Covington (17-4), who had a nasty split from American Top Team years ago and settled his highly-personal score with friend-turned-foe Jorge Masvidal in 2022 before he called out Poirier for a fight at welterweight.

Colby Covington calls out Dustin Poirier after his victory 🗣️ @espnmma | #UFC272 pic.twitter.com/VgcEqKhrmf
— ESPN (@espn) March 6, 2022

Poirier vs. Covington never materialized back then, but there's been several rumors going around that Covington, one of seven potential opponents approved by "The Diamond" in July, would fight Poirier next at UFC 309 on Nov. 16. Chael Sonnen has cited that's what he heard from his source in Adam Felters: "I get nothing from him that isn't right..."

UFC Star Dustin Poirier Undecided on Retirement: ‘Who Is There for Me to Fight?'

If Poirier is to fight again like he has been teasing for the last few months, the UFC star confirms it won't be against Covington, a trash talking contender who knows no bounds and has brought Poirier's family into the mix to make things personal between the two fighters.

"He'll never make money with me, it's BS," Poirier told Fight Bananas regarding the Covington fight rumors.

Exclusive Scoop 🚨@DustinPoirier Shuts DOWN the Fighting Rumors with Colby Covington with our @TheRuthlessEW pic.twitter.com/vBnuWGrNLH
— Fight Bananas (@FightBananas) September 3, 2024

Dustin Poirier Rules Out One Heated Rival for UFC Retirement Fight

UFC Lightweight Dustin Poirier / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Poirier echoed a similar sentiment in 2022 after many fans were clamoring for a grudge match vs. Covington, saying this at the UFC 271 post-fight press conference:

"I'll never fight Colby in an Octagon where there's finances on the line. If I fight Colby, we're both going to jail. He's not making money off my career and what I've done. You will never see me fight Colby Covington in the UFC."

UFC's Colby Covington. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Though, that hasn't stopped Covington from poking Poirier in the media. On Submission Radio, Covington claimed he ran into his former teammate months ago at a steakhouse in Coconut Creek, FL and that Poirier didn't have anything to say to him right then and there, leaving the restaurant upon seeing him (h/t: Championship Rounds).

Colby Covington says he recently crossed paths with Dustin Poirier at a steakhouse 😳

"I stood up I looked him right in the eyes and he walked right out of the restaurant like a good little b*tch."

🎥 @SubmissionRadio #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/K79xl9gqz4
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 30, 2024

Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington are both coming off title fight losses to Islam Makhachev and then-champion Leon Edwards, their respective third attempts at becoming an undisputed UFC champion.

Colby Covington Targets Top-Ranked Rival, 'Legacy Fight' with Ex-UFC Champion

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