Former UFC interim lightweight and fan-favorite fighter Dustin Poirier is planning to step away from the octagon. After his most recent fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Poirier stated he wanted to throw down one more time before calling it a career.
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A simple Instagram post of “Uno mas,” indicated that he plans to fight one more time. However, there was no indication of who Poirier would welcome as his presumed final UFC fight.
Considering that Poirier has fought the best of the best in the lightweight division, there is no short list of who he could potentially face. While his “retirement” fight isn’t going to be against Makhachev, he could still face off against many of the top contenders in the division.
Poirier is still ranked No. 4 in the division, meaning he could ask for anyone in the top 10. It appears though, that the “Diamond” has already chosen his final opponent.
Poirier took to X to post another one-word cryptic hint, which reads, “Trilogy?”
While a one-word X can be dissected plenty, many fans believe that Poirier is hinting at a final fight with fellow lightweight contender, Justin Gaethje. Poirier and Gaethje have fought one another twice, and have split the victories.
The first matchup between the pair happened at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Gaethje, in April 2018. Poirier was able to secure a fourth-round TKO. The pair went to war with one another, trading blows through four fierce rounds, but Poirier was able to put Gaethje away.
The second meeting went Gaethje’s way. At UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 in July 2023, Gaethje secured a vicious leg kick in the opening minute of the second round. Poirier collapsed and a final blow from Gaethje led to referee Herb Dean jumping in to stop the fight.
Both scored a TKO on one another, and a third fight can secure lifetime bragging rights for either fighter. Gaethje is also attempting to work his way back to a title shot. He was most recently knocked out by Max Holloway for the BMF belt at UFC 300 in April 2024.
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Gaethje has taken some time off from healing from the knockout he received, and Poirier has also been taking time to recover from injuries suffered against Makhachev. Both should be ready to go soon and could face off in early 2025.
Fans do not want Poirier to step away from the fight game, but he has expressed many times that the time for him to walk away from competing is now. However, a final fight against Gaethje would be an incredible swan song for a spectacular career.
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