“The last dance. I promise ya.” That’s Dustin Poirier’s way of saying, I’m outta here but not before one final brawl. And if you thought he’d quietly slip away into retirement with a dull decision win, you clearly don’t know how ‘The Diamond’ rolls. And Poirier’s parting gift? A guaranteed bloodbath laced with fireworks. Because, of course, that’s just how he operates.

The Louisiana slugger hopped on The Schmo’s show and, after dodging specifics like a prime Anderson Silva, finally spilled a little tea. “Yeah, and I wish I could tell you more,” he admitted, probably knowing full well that speculation keeps the hype machine rolling. “I have actually been having calls every week with the UFC, but it’s looking like summer in New Orleans is close to happening from my retirement fight. My pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible that’s what I’m pushing for, that’s what the UFC is working towards and things are getting pretty close.”

With ‘The Diamond’ stepping aside, the lightweight division keeps rolling, and The Schmo just had to poke the bear. Should the reigning Dagestani champ fight featherweight king Ilia Topuria next? Or does Charles Oliveira deserve another crack? Poirier, ever the realist, didn’t hesitate. “Man, that’s tough to say,” he shrugged.

When pressed about the Spanish-Georgian making the jump, Poirier kept it simple. “Yeah, but there’s still guys I think at 145 for Topuria to fight,” he pointed out. “And I’ve never seen Topuria in person, but if he can make 145—dude, Islam’s a big guy. I think he’s going to be a lot bigger than Topuria.” That being said, Poirier didn’t hesitate to acknowledge Topuria’s danger factor. “Topuria is an assassin, and I believe he can knock out anybody from 145 pounds to 170 pounds,” he stated.

But as high as he is on Ilia’s power, he’s just as confident in the Dagestani champ’s dominance. “I believe that Islam could win the 170-pound belt (if he wanted to).” Translation? Ilia might want to pump the brakes on his lightweight takeover plans. The #1 P4P contender has been tossing around actual lightweights like rag dolls, so while Topuria’s power is undeniable, trying to outmuscle Islam? That’s a tall order.

After Makhachev’s dominant outing at UFC 311, 145lbs god-king wasted no time calling him out. “Islam, if I want to, I can finish you. If I want to, I can knock you out. I’ll make it look easy. [See] you soon,” ‘El Matador’ declared. Bold? Definitely. Realistic? Well, that’s another story.

Look, Ilia’s got skills. He dismantled Alexander Volkanovski and sent Max Holloway packing. But Islam? He’s not just another guy. He’s a nightmare matchup for anyone, let alone a featherweight trying to bulk up overnight. Meanwhile, the former 155lbs champ Charles Oliveira didn’t sit still either. “It was a great fight,” ‘Do Bronx’ said in a cageside video released by the UFC. “He [Islam] is the champion. He did what he had to do. But I’m next, and he knows that. The lightweight champion is called Charles Oliveira. I’m ready for that.”

It is safe to say the Brazilian is still in the mix. He’s the division’s No. 2 contender, and while he’s already lost to Islam, his finishing ability is second to none. If the UFC loves chaos (which, they do), we might just see Topuria leapfrog him. But does he get the nod over the undefeated featherweight champ? That’s where things get tricky. Now, let’s hop back to ‘The Diamond’ and his swansong!

Is Dustin Poirier leaving with the perfect plan laid out for the division?

A PPV headliner with Dustin Poirier at the top of the card? Now that’s a proper send-off. Because let’s be honest, the UFC owes him this moment after years of throwing him into absolute wars for our entertainment. And the former 155lbs interim champ is not looking for an easy payday, he’s looking for violence. “There will be blood. See you soon,” he tweeted in his trademark fashion. Casuals might think he’s just hyping things up, but fans know that’s a promise.

His last outing at UFC 302 against Islam Makhachev ended in a heartbreaking fifth-round submission loss, but ‘The Diamond’ once again proved why he’s been a staple at lightweight. He pushed the seemingly unbeatable juggernaut of a champion to his limits before finally being caught. And this wasn’t even his ‘prime version’ that racked up a comprehensive ‘dance of violence’ one after the other. Still, the Dagestani champ will remember the Louisiana native with a customized battle scar right on his forehead till the end of time.

And Poirier’s prime day? Just ask Eddie Alvarez, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Conor McGregor for the kind of hell ‘The Diamond’ has raised over the years. And now, as he prepares to enter the Octagon for the final time, the fan-favorite is ensuring he gets the moment he deserves.

While Poirier gears up for one last ride, the lightweight division is shifting once again. ‘The Diamond’ isn’t riding off into the sunset quietly. There will be blood. And if you were hoping for some warm, sentimental goodbye, wrong sport, buddy. So, what do you think? Does Ilia Topuria have what it takes to challenge Islam? Will Oliveira get another shot? And who is crazy enough to step in front of Poirier for his grand finale? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!