It’s been just over a month since UFC 302 where Dustin Poirier (30-9) got another crack at the lightweight title. Poirier was game but ultimately was submitted in the final round by the champion, Islam Makhachev. Following the fight, Poirier casted doubts on whether he would ever fight again.
The Diamond has made it clear that he was always trying to climb the mountain to become undisputed champion. The highest point he reached was back in 2019 when he defeated Max Holloway to become the interim UFC lightweight champion. He fought to unify the belts against Khabib Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi and was submitted.
With Poirier being 0-3 now in undisputed title fights and being 35-years-old, he wasn’t sure what his purpose was in terms of continuing his fighting career. However, it didn’t take long for Poirier to start getting that itch again and last week, he posted on X that he wanted one more.
Should the UFC try to book Poirier – Diaz again?
Dustin Poirier is looking for a fight that excites him and he’s looking for a fight that he can get up for. Today on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Poirier did say that he was on the fence about fighting again and that it all comes down to who he would potentially fight. He’s not just going to fight to fight, it has to be an opponent that gets him excited.
How about a fourth fight with Conor McGregor? Poirier made it clear that he’s not a fan of the former UFC champion whom he’s shared the octagon with three-times getting the better of McGregor twice. Granted, the last fight ended because McGregor broke his leg. In the first two fights, the two men traded knockout wins.
Because of the personal attacks McGregor has still unleashed towards Poirier and his family, The Diamond gave the indication that he’d be interested in that fight. A trilogy fight with Justin Gaethje does make a ton of sense given the fact that they’ve also traded knockouts. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see that trilogy play out. There is one fight the UFC was never able to make that Poirier is still very interested in and that’s a fight with Nate Diaz.
Diaz just defeated Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match last weekend and has been open to a UFC return for the right opponent. While he’s mentioned welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Poirier is the perfect opponent for Diaz. Jon Anik said this week that he’d love to see that fight finally materialize. In my opinion, the time is now for both men at this stage in their careers.