UFC cult hero Dustin Poirier has left the door slightly ajar for a fourth fight with Conor McGregor, despite hinting at retirement after his recent loss to Islam Makhachev.
The 35-year-old American tapped out to the undisputed lightweight king in the main event of UFC 302, ending a fairytale run towards becoming the division’s champion.
Poirier revealed post-fight that it could have been his last time inside the octagon, despite becoming one of the promotion’s most beloved and reliable stars.
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Speaking to The MMA Hour on Tuesday (AEST), Poirier admitted that his future in MMA was still up in the air after falling short against Makhachev.
”I still don’t know,” he said.
“I can’t say I will never fight again, but I just don’t know the reason. What am I gonna 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 I will realise that or recognise that in the coming weeks. I’m just taking it one day at a time … I’m leaning towards being done.”
Given he had already fought for the strap on multiple occasions, Poirier is unlikely to be granted another shot at Makhachev or whoever the champion may be in coming years.
However, the potential to renew a heated rivalry with McGregor may lure him back into the cage for a big-money bout and the opportunity to settle the score once and for all.
“I wanted the belt, but I’ve got to see how I feel,” Poirier said.
“Talking about those things is not exciting to me, but if my phone rang right now and it was Hunter [Campbell] … I’ve got to see how I feel when it’s offered to me.
“That’s how I know what decision to make – talking about it, nothing seems attractive.
“I’m not calling them.”
Poirier lost to McGregor in their first fight back in 2014 at featherweight, before exacting revenge with two-straight victories in 2021.
Their last fight became extremely personal, culminating in McGregor taking shots at Poirier’s wife after their bout at UFC 264.
McGregor will be back in action for the UFC later this month against Michael Chandler after spending nearly three years on the sidelines with a broken leg.
UFC cult hero Dustin Poirier has left the door slightly ajar for a fourth fight with Conor McGregor, despite hinting at retirement after his recent loss to Islam Makhachev.
The 35-year-old American tapped out to the undisputed lightweight king in the main event of UFC 302, ending a fairytale run towards becoming the division’s champion.
Poirier revealed post-fight that it could have been his last time inside the octagon, despite becoming one of the promotion’s most beloved and reliable stars.
READ MORE: Wantaway $1m star’s perfect response to club’s ban
READ MORE: Geyer savages ‘young kids’ throwing in the towel
READ MORE: Smith ‘thought I was going to be sacked’ over breach
Speaking to The MMA Hour on Tuesday (AEST), Poirier admitted that his future in MMA was still up in the air after falling short against Makhachev.
”I still don’t know,” he said.
“I can’t say I will never fight again, but I just don’t know the reason. What am I gonna 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 I will realise that or recognise that in the coming weeks. I’m just taking it one day at a time … I’m leaning towards being done.”
Given he had already fought for the strap on multiple occasions, Poirier is unlikely to be granted another shot at Makhachev or whoever the champion may be in coming years.
However, the potential to renew a heated rivalry with McGregor may lure him back into the cage for a big-money bout and the opportunity to settle the score once and for all.
“I wanted the belt, but I’ve got to see how I feel,” Poirier said.
“Talking about those things is not exciting to me, but if my phone rang right now and it was Hunter [Campbell] … I’ve got to see how I feel when it’s offered to me.
“That’s how I know what decision to make – talking about it, nothing seems attractive.
“I’m not calling them.”
Poirier lost to McGregor in their first fight back in 2014 at featherweight, before exacting revenge with two-straight victories in 2021.
Their last fight became extremely personal, culminating in McGregor taking shots at Poirier’s wife after their bout at UFC 264.
McGregor will be back in action for the UFC later this month against Michael Chandler after spending nearly three years on the sidelines with a broken leg.
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