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

Poirier says he'll make a decision regarding his fighting future in 30 days.

Christopher De Santiago | Jul 31, 2024

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Poirier is very much on the fence when it comes to leaving the fight game.

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The former UFC interim champion has been considering retirement for years now, with Poirier always knowing that his next fight could very well be his last. Poirier recently revealed on 'The MMA Hour' he would've hung up the gloves with a title win over lightweight champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 but that's not how he finished his story, falling short of gold for a third time by way of submission.

Dustin Poirier on thinking about the end of fighting: I'm scared nothing is gonna fill that void.
#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/XazOm3pUEh
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 10, 2024

30 Days Until Poirier's Retirement Decision

Poirier has yet to make a decision on whether or not he'll continue fighting, citing that his wife and the people around him want to see him retire once and for all. However, retirements rarely ever come easy in MMA, with Poirier setting a one-month ultimatum to see how he feels.

"Me and my wife kinda said when we get back from vacation, we'll [make a decision]," Poirier told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn regarding his potential retirement. "Obviously, you're drinking and eating whatever you want on vacation. We'll clean it up, go 30 days, August, and just make a decision after that. Get in shape, see how you feel. So, we'll see, man. I don't know."

"I need to make a solid decision so I can get out of the limbo. Because I'm still kind of, like, fighting myself every day. Not sure what I'm doing."

Dustin Poirier following his title defeat at UFC 302. / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

"Who Is There For Me To Fight?"

"The Diamond" is one of the longer-tenured fighters on the UFC roster, making his promotional debut back in 2011. Since then, Poirier has had a total of 31 fights in the Octagon, with 13 of those coming against former or current UFC champions.

Now 35-years old with a whole lot of wear and tear, Poirier wonders if this is really it for him and his fan-favorite fighting career.

"So, I'm supposed to have surgery on my nose in October. But, if something - if I made a decision or something came up, popped up, I can push it back or whatever. I'm just thinking, like, 'Who is there for me to fight?'" Poirier said.

UFC Lightweight Dustin Poirier after his latest KO win at UFC 299. / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

There are a few potential options for Dustin Poirier at the tail-end of his career, with the former interim champ approving seven fights in particular (including rematches with Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje) but we'll have to wait a month or so for the former interim champ to make up his mind on fighting once more.

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30 Days Until Poirier's Retirement Decision

"Who Is There For Me To Fight?"

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