Dustin Poirier sets the record straight on retirement plans ahead of his UFC 291 return. Find out why retirement is not on the horizon for the former interim lightweight champion.
Dustin Poirier’s Future in MMA: Retirement Not on the Horizon
Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the UFC octagon at UFC 291 this weekend. Despite rumors of a potential retirement, Poirier has made it clear that he has no plans of stepping away from mixed martial arts anytime soon.
Poirier, currently ranked number two in the lightweight division, has been out of action since his impressive victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 281. The Louisiana native secured a third-round rear-naked choke submission, solidifying his position as a top contender.
In the main event of UFC 291, Poirier will face off against Justin Gaethje in a rematch for the symbolic BMF championship. Their first encounter took place in 2018 at UFC Fight Night Phoenix, where Poirier emerged victorious with a fourth-round standing TKO.
Leading up to the fight, Poirier’s training partner, Renato Moicano, suggested that either Poirier or Gaethje might consider retirement if they were to suffer a loss. However, Poirier quickly dismissed these claims, stating that he has no intention of retiring from combat sports.
In an interview with the New York Post Sports, Poirier emphasized his passion for fighting, stating, "I’m not doing this because I have to. I’m doing this because I want to. As long as the ‘want’ is still there, you guys ain’t getting rid of me."
Poirier’s focus remains on securing a future lightweight title fight against current champion, Islam Makahchev. Retirement is far from his mind as he continues to pursue his goal of becoming the undisputed champion.
| Fight Results |
|---|
| Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje |
| Winner: TBD |
Stay tuned for the outcome of this highly anticipated rematch at UFC 291, as Dustin Poirier looks to solidify his position as one of the top fighters in the lightweight division.
