Poirier: Planned to retire at UFC 302 with title win

Andreas Hale, ESPNJun 10, 2024, 08:26 PM ET

Dustin Poirier didn’t get a chance to finish his story at UFC 302 when he fell short against Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship.

Following the loss, Poirier said he had been mulling the possibility of retirement. However, had he achieved his dream of capturing the undisputed championship in Newark, “The Diamond” revealed he would have called it a career that same night.

“I was going to put the belt down with the gloves,” Poirier said Monday during an appearance on “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani. “But this is my story, and it happened the way it was supposed to happen for my journey. It’s been written already.”

When speaking to ESPN in May ahead of UFC 302, Poirier teased the idea of retiring as a champion if he defeated Makhachev.

“That could happen,” he said.

Turns out, it was the plan all along. Unfortunately for Poirier, he was submitted in the fifth and final round by Makhachev with a d’arce choke and is now figuring out what the future holds as he recovers from damaged ribs, a broken nose and a partially torn ACL.

While he hasn’t come to a decision regarding his future yet, UFC 302 may have been the last time fans see Poirier in the Octagon.

“I’m leaning towards being done,” Poirier told Helwani. “Especially getting the title fight. How many more times would I need to fight to get myself back into position to fight for the world title? I don’t know. But like I said, I’m not going to do it again. I’m not going to fight five more times trying to earn another title shot.

“I’m in a weird spot and I don’t know how to explain it or what decision to make. I’m taking it day-by-day and see what comes with my mind changing and seeing how I feel.”

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