Dustin Poirier, the seasoned MMA fighter, finds himself at a crossroads. Following his title fight loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier is conflicted about his fighting future. Here’s what we know:
Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) hasn’t definitively decided whether he’ll retire or continue competing. Even after some time has passed since the fight, he remains unsure about his next steps. His injuries from the bout include a broken nose, damaged ribs, and a knee issue. Despite these setbacks, Poirier still believes he can compete with the best in the UFC.
Is Dustin Poirier Retiring?
“Even this far removed from the fight, I still don’t know,” Dustin Poirier told “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani on Monday. “I’m kind of looking for clarity. Searching myself and taking it one day at a time. But I don’t know. I don’t know what’s next.
“I can’t say I’ll never fight again, but I just don’t know the reason. What am I going to fight for? To get into a battle? I love that. But I’ve taken some lumps over the years. It has to be for something. And maybe that something, I’ll recognize that or realize that in the coming weeks. But I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Dustin Poirier is “leaning towards being done” but admits he’s “scared” to retire prematurely 💎
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— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 11, 2024
Dustin Poirier acknowledges that his prime years are limited, and he fears missing out on what he has left to give. At 35, he’s torn between wanting to continue competing and not wanting to give too much of himself to the sport. His wife, Jolie, has encouraged him to consider retirement, but the decision isn’t straightforward.
In the end, Poirier’s decision will shape his legacy. Whether he hangs up his gloves or continues to fight, his impact on the MMA world won’t be forgotten. Poirier had planned to retire if he had won the fight against Makhachev.
He recognizes that leaving the sport now might mean missing out on future opportunities. Balancing the desire to compete with self-preservation is a battle he must navigate internally.
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