Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier appears to be nearing an Octagon return for his potential retirement fight.
Poirier lost to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 earlier this summer. In his third lineal UFC lightweight title shot, he lost by fifth-round submission, effectively ending his pursuit of the belt.
Poirier, in the immediate aftermath of his loss to Makhachev, hinted that UFC 302 might be his last-ever appearance in the Octagon. He’s since teeter-tottered on that stance, alluding to a potential comeback for the right fight on the right stage.
According to Poirier, the UFC matchmakers are closing in on securing his comeback.
“Big news coming soon. Uno más,” Poirier posted.
As of this writing, it’s uncertain who the UFC has in mind for Poirier’s potential retirement fight. Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje are two possible options for an opponent.
Before the loss to Makhachev, Poirier got back in the win column by finishing Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. The win came after a BMF title loss to Gaethje at UFC 291 last year.
Poirier has traded wins and losses since consecutive wins over Conor McGregor in 2021. He knocked out McGregor at UFC 257 before a doctor’s stoppage win in their trilogy.
As of this writing, Oliveira nor Gaethje have fights announced/booked, although Oliveira recently hinted at looming news. UFC CEO Dana White also recently shared that fight announcements for McGregor, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski are on tap.
A trilogy with Gaethje seems like a potential fit for Poirier after Gaethje knocked him out with a head kick at UFC 291. A chance at redemption against Oliveira makes sense too, after falling to the Brazilian in his second lightweight title shot at UFC 269.
If the rumors are true, Poirier vs. Covington will be scheduled for UFC 309, the card expected to feature Jones vs. Miocic as the main event. It is safe to assume that tons of fans will tune in to watch the fight regardless of when it happens, though.
Fuck Covington, would hate to see the bigger guy hold Dustin down for 5 rounds in his last fight. Sucks Max has a fight lined up, sounds like another war/both have gotten better. How bad did Dustin beat his ass? I don’t remember much other than I thought it was an easy fight to score.
As amazing as Piorier, Oliveira, and Gathje are, they’ve all convincingly lost to the Dagestanis, and so any match among them doesn’t feel like a fight to determine who’s the best in the world.
Am i the only one who has no interest in porier vs colby?
you are not RTIB
Weak
.29 Sec Mark LOL
3Peat
if colby hasn’t fallen off he will destroy dustin.
He clearly has based on his last fight. But he still might be able to lay on Poirier long enough to win.