Ahead of his upcoming fight with Max Holloway this weekend, Dustin Poirier has made it clear that once he puts his gloves down in the center of the Octagon, he will ride off into the sunset and won’t look back.
Despite that, as Poirier revealed on an episode of The Danza Project this week, if there were one fight that could potentially lure him out of a future retirement, it would be a shot at the title.
“It’s tough to say right now ’cause I’m not even retired yet. Title fight probably. Getting the chance to be the undisputed world champion. Maybe. I’ll have to see. I’d have to see where I’m at mentally and how I feel.
“I’ve always said, when I do retire, I’m never going to pick the gloves back up. I’m not going to be one of those guys that comes back and tries to get another paycheck, but I still feel good, that’s the thing. … It would take something huge for me to come back when I retire.”
Considering Poirier notably indicated that he hasn’t retired yet, with a highlight-reel win on Saturday, perhaps the UFC will give him one more chance to capture undisputed gold.
Poirier Shares Prediction for UFC 318 Bout With Holloway
In Dustin Poirier’s first fight against Max Holloway way back in 2012, The Diamond was able to secure a first-round submission win. Years later, when the two threw down at UFC 236 for the interim lightweight title, Poirier picked up a decision win.
During his appearance on The Danza Project, Poirier dropped his prediction for how his trilogy fight with Holloway will play out:
“I’m going to win. By any means necessary. I don’t know if it’s going to be gritty and bloody or it’s going to be smooth and clean, but either way, I’m going to win.”
While Poirier is heading into the fight eager to get his hand raised by any means necessary, bettors are backing Poirier to win either by KO/TKO or by points.
With 15 KO/TKO wins throughout his career and eight submission wins, Poirier’s shown that he can finish the fight anywhere.
Of course, the one thing his resume is missing besides an undisputed title is a guillotine win.
Max Holloway Eager to Play Spoiler in New Orleans
While Dustin Poirier is eager to ride off into the sunset with a big win, Max Holloway is looking to play spoiler in Louisiana.
Although the former featherweight kingpin is widely considered to be a fan favorite, on Saturday night he’ll be fighting in Poirier’s backyard, where he will likely garner far less fan support that usual.
Despite that, Holloway is eager to play spoiler and close out his trilogy with The Diamond on a win.
During his media day appearance on Wednesday, the BMF titleholder explained that Poirier spoiled his UFC debut and ended his 13-fight win streak.
Between that, and a chance to potentially insert himself into title talks at 155, Holloway is heading into Saturday’s fight more motivated than ever to get his hand raised, even if he winds up getting booed along the way.
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