Responding to a fan query on social media<\/a>, Poirier recently admitted that the transition to retirement hasn\u2019t been easy after a 40-fight career in professional MMA. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Brazilian soccer legend asks for photo with UFC star Charles Oliveira after UFC Rio<\/a><\/p>\n Everyday, the moment my eyes open, I’ve done it for two decades dedicated my life to it…. A part of me has died https:\/\/t.co\/1y4uV6XORB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Although he was quick to promise that it would just be a one-off fight rather than a full-fledged comeback, Poirier did recently tease the idea of temporarily ending his retirement<\/a> for a boxing match with former UFC star Nate Diaz. <\/p>\n He certainly wouldn\u2019t be the first MMA fighter to end his retirement<\/a> not long after hanging up his gloves, but Poirier\u2019s place of distinction in the history of both the sport and the UFC is already secure. <\/p>\n Max Holloway (red gloves) fights against Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. \/ Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Following a 7-0 career as an amateur fighter (although Poirier himself has claimed he also competed in a number of unrecorded fights), \u201cThe Diamond\u201d made his professional MMA debut in 2009 and stopped seven-straight opponents before joining WEC, where he went 1-1 before the promotion’s roster was absorbed by the UFC in 2011.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Merab Dvalishvili drops warning to ex-UFC flyweight champ for UFC title fight<\/a><\/p>\n After losing to Conor McGregor in 2014, the Louisianan decided to move up to the lightweight division and quickly established himself as one of the elite 155 lbs. fighters in the UFC. Islam Makhachev (red gloves) celebrates defeating Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. \/ Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The final five years of Poirier\u2019s fighting career included back-to-back wins over McGregor<\/a> and two more lightweight title shots, and the loss to Holloway in his retirement fight put \u201cThe Diamond\u201d on the first two-fight skid of his illustrious career after he was also submitted by Islam Makhachev in his final championship bid at UFC 302. <\/p>\n \u2022 Debuting MMA fighter flatlines undefeated opponent with unbelievable upkick KO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Charles Oliveira targets huge UFC rematch in plea to UFC brass to ‘make that happen’<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Alex Pereira provides grim injury update, eyes UFC White House superfight for return<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 UFC Rio crowd goes wild as heavyweight fighter scores violent faceplant KO<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old went on to win the interim UFC lightweight belt in his second meeting with Holloway in 2019 before he fell to Khabib Nurmagomedov in his first undisputed title bid later that year. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n