Poirier Ponders Retirement After UFC 302 Clash with Makhachev
Dustin Poirier, one of UFC’s most storied fighters, has hinted that his upcoming title bout with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 might be his last. Poirier, now 35, is looking to capture the undisputed lightweight title for the first time in his career when he faces Makhachev on June 1.
Poirier’s journey in the UFC has been long and illustrious, but it has also been filled with near-misses and heartbreaks. He held the interim lightweight title in 2019 but was unable to unify it, falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov by submission. In 2021, he had another shot at the gold but was once again defeated, this time by Charles Oliveira.
In a recent interview with CBS, Poirier expressed his readiness to possibly hang up his gloves, especially if he doesn’t emerge victorious at UFC 302. “I’m not going to climb the ladder again,” Poirier admitted. “I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s a very selfish sport. I’m ready to be a father and be a husband and be home and be into a routine.”
The American fighter emphasized that this fight could be his swan song, regardless of the outcome. “This could be the last one. I’m still on the fence, win or lose. I just want to be content with my career. It’s a thing where I have to digest it and be okay with it [if I lose], because that’s how life goes.”
Despite his contemplations of retirement, Poirier remains optimistic about his chances against Makhachev. “Of course, I’m looking at the brighter side and trying to be positive that I’m going to finish the story and seal the deal and become undisputed lightweight champ after my 31st fight in the UFC. What a story that would be.”
Poirier’s most recent outing was a knockout victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in March, a win that helped him bounce back from a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in July of last year. Over the course of his career, Poirier has faced and defeated some of the sport’s top names, including Conor McGregor (twice), Max Holloway (twice), Michael Chandler, Eddie Alvarez, and Anthony Pettis.
However, it’s worth noting that none of these victories came against defending champions. His win over Holloway for the interim lightweight title did come while Holloway was the reigning featherweight champion, highlighting Poirier’s ability to compete at the highest levels.
As the date for UFC 302 approaches, the MMA community is abuzz with speculation about Poirier’s future. Whether he will walk away from the sport as a champion or retire after another hard-fought battle remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Dustin Poirier’s legacy in the UFC is already cemented, and his final chapter promises to be one filled with drama and emotion.
