UFC Star Dustin Poirier Down to Follow Conor McGregor to Hollywood, Pursue Acting Career

‘The Diamond’ is open to taking on a ‘new challenge’ in the acting world.

Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Conor McGregor isn’t the only MMA fighter who wants to be in the movies.

UFC Lightweight Dustin Poirier wouldn’t mind appearing on the big screen after his longtime rival made his acting debut in Doug Liman’s ‘Road House’, starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. 

RELATED: Conor McGregor, Jake Gyllenhaal Reveal How Road House ‘Almost Lost’ UFC's Blessing

McGregor made quite the first impression in Hollywood in his role as ‘Knox’, a hard-hitting muscle-for-hire that gives Gyllenhaal’s character, an ex-UFC fighter named ‘Dalton’, a run for his money.

Conor McGregor starring as 'Knox' in Roadhouse (2024) / Roadhouse (2024)

‘The Notorious’ decided to take part in the film during his long layoff from the sport, which all started in 2021 with a nasty leg break in his trilogy bout against Poirier at UFC 264.

Poirier, who has yet to watch McGregor in ‘Road House’ (but plans to), recently did a commercial for the new movie, ‘Monkey Man’, piquing his interest in potentially being in a movie of his own someday. 

“I'd like to, it's something different,” Poirier said on ‘This Past Weekend with Theo Von’, when asked if he’d consider a career in acting. “Like, it's exciting because I've never done it before. It's a new challenge. Keeps me busy.

“I gotta be busy, man. That's my thing. Like, I gotta be busy if I'm not getting ready to fight somebody. I've said this a thousand times. I have to have some kind of obstacle to [overcome] in front of me. So if I'm trying to do movies or grow my businesses, I just need to be in action.”

Poirier continued, noting activity plays a big part in not just his fighting career, but in his personal life as well.

“I'm a danger to myself when I have nothing,” Poirier opened up. “No goals circled on my calendar, I'm a danger to myself, man. I beat myself up mentally. I'm home, I drink. I'm just not good. I have to have some kind of battle and I've always been like that. But like, as I'm getting older, I'm kind of recognizing. So I kind of set goals, so I stay busy.”

Dustin Poirier later revealed ‘one of the lowest points of his life came at UFC 291, where he was knocked out by BMF titleholder and former foe Justin Gaethje. Following the defeat, the 35 year-old fighter contemplated hanging up the gloves altogether. 

“Yeah, a couple of times,” Poirier said on ‘The MMA Hour’, when asked if he ever thought about retirement. “I don’t know, dude. I don’t know. It’s very scary.”

‘The Diamond’ would eventually shine again at UFC 299, where he turned in a vintage performance, a highlight-reel KO of Benoit Saint Denis.

With many incredible scenes throughout his UFC career, we’ll see if Dustin Poirier ever makes the crossover to Hollywood as an actor like his old foe Conor McGregor. 

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