“I’m ready to be a father or husband…” Dustin Poirier very serious on retiring after Islam Makhachev fight at UFC 302

Dustin Poirier is one of the best fighters in the UFC never to hold the undisputed title. The former interim lightweight champion also failed in his pursuit of the BMF title. Nonetheless, as luck would have it, Poirier luckily received a third crack at undisputed glory. Standing in the way is Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king.

In his latest fight, Poirier knocked out Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 298. Poirier had pondered retirement, preluding the fight against Frenchman. However, the victory over a young lion like Saint-Denis lit a fire under the “Diamond” from Lafayette, Louisiana. He has again contemplated retirement, as revealed in his interview with CBS Sports.

I’m not going to climb the ladder again. I’ve been doing this for 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…I wouldn’t say I can’t do it again. I can do it again. It’s just… this is it for me… This could be the last one…
Dustin Poirier via CBS Sports

Poirier revealed he had not decided what he wanted to do, win or lose. More than becoming a champion, Poirier wanted to be content. He has no reason not to be, as he has fought the who’s who of the lightweight and featherweight divisions.

Poirier’s thoughts about retirement are serious, and he even revealed disinterest in a fourth fight against Conor McGregor, which is a big-money fight. Poirier is the only fighter to beat McGregor twice and is the only fighter in the UFC to beat McGregor in the striking department.

Adrian Yanez praises the boxing skills of Dustin Poirier

Adrian Yanez had a tough 2023, losing to Jonathan Martinez and Rob Font via finish. Yanez got back into the win column with a first-round finish of Vinicus Salvador at UFC Vegas 92. The 5-time bonus winner now targets a fight against fellow unranked opponents at UFC 303 at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Dustin Poirier (via Imago)

Yanez is one of the best boxers in the UFC. Although he lost to Rob Font via KO, his first five fights in the UFC can attest to Yanez’s boxing talent. In a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Yanez praised Dustin Poirier’s boxing skills.

I just feel like he [Dustin Poirier] has good solid fundamentals and timing…He finds his timing and range, then starts looking for his shots…He never tries to get out of his base. He tries to stay with both feet planted and never lets his head get past his knees. He stays based out, so he’s able to counter whenever he wants to. Offensively, once he gets going, he puts up some solid combinations. Especially for MMA, he has a really good guard. When people are throwing hand combinations at him, he does really well.
Adrian Yanez via SHAK MMA