Dustin Poirier‘s career is coming to a close. ‘The Diamond,’ of course, indicated as such in his post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan at UFC 302 earlier this year. At the post-fight presser, the former interim lightweight champ clarified that he would not be retiring immediately but strongly indicated the end is nigh.

Which is why fans feel that Poirier’s next fight would be his last. In fact, ‘Diamond’ showed interest in a unique, four-man BMF title tournament with him, Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker, and reigning BMF champ, Max Holloway. While UFC CEO Dana White was enthusiastic about the idea, there’s not much of a chance of that happening since the tournament days are far behind the UFC today. The lightweight division is the most stacked in the UFC right now, with even veterans within the divisions being high-level fighters. In that vein, who should Dustin Poirier possibly face in his retirement fight?

Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway III

Max Holloway, like Poirier, is a name to behold in the featherweight and lightweight division, especially with ‘Blessed’ purportedly moving up to 155 lbs permanently when he comes back in mid-2025. In addition, both men are incredibly crisp strikers, which will make their proposed matchup a massive hit with UFC fans. To add to the intrigue, Holloway and Poirier already fought twice in the UFC, once in 2012 and the second time for the interim lightweight title in 2019 – and Poirier is the only man to have submitted the Hawaiian native inside the Octagon.

Given this history between the two, their respective statuses as UFC legends, and fan adoration, this fight seems like an absolute no-brainer. Not to mention, Holloway is the BMF champion, which gives added motivation for ‘The Diamond’ to go after the belt that he lost to Justin Gaethje. This fight is extremely good for Poirier, as he can welcome Holloway’s permanent move to lightweight in his retirement fight. Speaking of BMF, Gaethje is also another banger fight for Dustin Poirier. Let’s take a closer look.

Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje III

The lightweights with names that rhyme have already clashed twice in the past, much like Poirier’s stints with Max Holloway. Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje first clashed in 2018 where that bout is considered one of the greatest fights in the history of the sport. In their first clash, the bout was grueling back-and-forth, however, ‘The Diamond’ reigned supreme by finding the TKO finish in the fourth round.

Their second fight, too, was pretty exciting, but this time Gaethje knocked ‘The Diamond’ out clean with a head kick in the second round at UFC 291, to become the BMF champion. Currently, with a 1-1 record against each other, it only makes sense for them to settle their business in the Octagon for a third and final time.

In fact, both Dustin and Justin have expressed serious interest in a trilogy. And purely from a sports point of view, ‘The Highlight’ may be the best final opponent Poirier could face. This fight is great for ‘The Diamond’ as he will have an opportunity to exact revenge against a man who recently put him to sleep.

Dustin Poirier vs Colby Covington

Colby Covington, like Dustin Poirier, is at the end of his rope in his fighting career. With his humiliating loss to Joaquin Buckley earlier this month, the former interim welterweight champ might be out of the title contention picture. However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t see ‘Chaos’ in exciting matchups. Furthermore, there is legit beef between Covington and Poirier, being former teammates-turned-bitter rivals.

Given their history, and their taking pot shots at each other – Covington named ‘The Diamond’ as the man who got him kicked out of American Top Team. This sets up an epic storyline for their bout. But this would also mean, Poirier would have to go up to welterweight to face the brash California native. What does Poirier think about fighting Covington?

“I’ll never fight Colby (Covington) in an Octagon… If I fight Colby, we’re both going to jail. He’s not making money off my career,” Poirier has said of a possible Covington fight. Of course, all of this animosity and genuine bad blood between Covington and Poirier only makes a fight between the two even more mouthwatering for fans. This fight is alright – in the sense that Colby is the heavier fighter, and could give him trouble at a higher weight class, where Poirier seems comfortable at lightweight.

‘The Diamond’ vs Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz is out of the UFC at the moment, which at first glance, takes him out of contention for being Dustin Poirier’s last opponent. But the Stockton native has said that he plans to return to the UFC and become a champion there. We’re not sure about him being champion, given the current caliber of talent in the organization, and also given his age (way past his fighting prime), but him coming back would definitely ensure a sold-out event.

Now, there is a bit of history between the two, where they were matched up for UFC 240, and even faced off. But that fight never materialized. Dustin Poirier even poked Nate Diaz a few times on social media to get him to fight, but it didn’t seem like the Stockton native was interested in the matchup. Still, this is a fight worth making for fans, and for the UFC from a business standpoint. They’re both incredible strikers and proficient grappling skills. BUT – does beating Nate Diaz really raise Poirier’s stock, especially in his last fight? In terms of opponents, this is a below mid-tier fight for Poirier. In terms of spectacle, it’s a no-brainer.

Wild Card: A fourth bout with Conor McGregor?

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have quite a history. The pair first met back in 2014, when ‘The Notorious’ was on the rise and at the height of his sniping best. McGregor truly humiliated Poirier with his words and performance, knocking him out in the first round at UFC 178. However, as fate would have it, Poirier got a chance at revenge, becoming the first man to knock the Irishman out in the second round at UFC 257.

They were slated for an immediate rematch, and all was going well until McGregor snapped his tibia in the first round at UFC 264. What was already a nasty build-up from the Irishman before the bout resulted in him saying the following after their fight, in a state of pain no less – “Your wife’s in my DMs.” In fact, ‘Mystic Mac’ has said that a fourth fight with Poirier is “a must.” “McGregor, of course, is the biggest star in the history of the sport, and a fight between him and Poirier would be an absolute blockbuster.

Of all the fights we have talked about, Poirier will almost definitely make the most money in a McGregor fight. But the issue with that fight, of course, is the continuing ambiguity around the Irishman’s UFC future. Dana White has said that if McGregor returns, it will be sometime next year. But then again, that is exactly what the UFC CEO has been saying for the past two years. But if ‘Mac’ indeed returns to action in the UFC next year, he could be the perfect last opponent for Dustin Poirier. But again, what does it do for Poirier’s legacy in beating a man whose skills have been brought into question lately? Still, it would sell massive PPV tickets, making Uncle Dana a very happy man.

Who do you think Dustin Poirier should face in his retirement fight? Let us know in the comments down below.