“This Is the Last Chapter” – Dustin Poirier on Retirement Rumors Before Islam Makhachev Fight at UFC 302

“Last of a dying breed” – this is how Dustin Poirier described himself in the hours following the announcement of his UFC 302 lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev. The lightweight stalwart has fought them all and beat them all, except, he is yet to touch undisputed gold in the division. At 35, the pride of Lafayette, Louisiana has said that this could very well be his ‘Last Dance.’

‘The Diamond’ was at his candid best recently while talking with David Van Auken, Elle Dawson, and Maddie Levine as he discussed his UFC career while also stressing his plans beyond the promotion. As Poirier spoke about his fight with Islam Makhachev in UFC 302, he ended up taking the now-routine question about retirement.

In the latest episode of ‘The Fight Bananas Show LIVE’, when David Van Auken asked Dustin Poirier about his plans to fight Islam Makhachev and end the chapter, he agreed with the host. ‘The Diamond’ said, “When I hear that I am with you. I’m aligned with that. This is the last chapter. I wanna finish this story and close this book, you know, but nothing is guaranteed.” 

Elle Dawson finally asked him the much-awaited question since he had hinted at it previously as well. She enquired whether he would retire after the June fight. To this, Poirier candidly answered, “It could be, I haven’t like made an official decision yet but it would be…I said this over and over again as I have still a lot of tread in the tires. I can beat these guys. I can beat these young guys I just did it… My body feels good, but it’s just like how much do I want to give to the sport? Cause you don’t ride for free.” 

Poirier added that he has a life outside the Octagon and wants to give time to his family and be a good father to his daughter. The 35-year-old also explained how he has been fighting since he was 17. Now, he wants to concentrate on his personal life and other businesses. Since he had two big-money fights he won against Conor McGregor at UFC 257 and 264, so he is financially in a safe spot. 

The UFC fighter also has a lot of businesses, such as Rare Stash bourbon, HOP WTR, Poirier’s Louisiana-style hot sauce, a huge Louisiana liquor store called Marcello’s, and his charity ‘The Good Fight Foundation. So he does have backup plans for his future after retirement and said, “I just have a lot of stuff going on outside in business that keeps me busy.” Meanwhile, the retirement rumors are also not completely new since he addressed these previously as well at the post-fight press conference after UFC 291.

Dustin Poirier’s emotional statement at UFC 291 post-fight press conference

After his defeat in UFC 291, ‘The Diamond’ shared a sentimental moment in his press conference. Generally, the fighter who loses does not appear for an interview. However, Poirier expressed his desire to win the BMF title. According to him, it would be a great addition to his legacy. He also spoke about his future goals when it came to the octagon. Just like he expressed recently, he had said the same thing previously: he does not want to fight just for the sake of fighting.

The almost teary-eyed champ explained, “It’s just… we’ll see. I don’t know what I am fighting for. I’m not fighting just to fight. I did that my whole life. My whole life, I’ve done that. I don’t want to fight, just to fight.” Poirier has already lost two title shots before to Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov, so this is probably his last chance at the gold belt.

Now with UFC 302, the numbers do not favor Poirier. The lower weight classes are notorious for not letting fighters aged 35 and above not be champions. The 155 lbs division is arguably the most competitive shark tank among them and has time and again proven to be a young man’s game.

But, he just KO’d a promising up-and-comer in Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. So if anyone can pull it off, it would be Poirier. Will the third time be the charm? Do you think he’s going to win against Islam Makhachev? If he loses this bout, will he lay down his gloves in Octagon? Drop your views in the comments below.