Dana White revealed that the next career move for Dustin Poirier is in the hands of the Louisianna native as he fell short against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, losing in the fifth round via a D’arce choke.
Dana White Says Dustin Poirier Is Always Welcome In The UFC
After his ninth career loss on Saturday, Dana White suggested that the door is still open for “The Diamond” if he wants to continue his career in MMA, despite hinting at retirement before his fight against Makhachev.
During the UFC 302 post-fight press conference, White said: “It’s up to him, it’s not up to me. He knows what he wants and what he doesn’t want. He knows how he felt, he knows how he feels right now, and that’s all up to him. Listen, he’s a star. He can stay here as long as he wants to.”
Going 0-3 after his third lightweight title fight, Poirier signalled once more that his time in an octagon might be coming to a close when speaking in his post-fight press conference.
He said: “I’m not 100 percent, but if this is my last fight I want to dedicate this journey to the people who made me the man I am, and that’s the women in my life.
“My grandmother, I miss you every day and I’m still protected by your prayers. My mother, we’ve had a crazy life. I love you. Thanks for always having my back.
“To my wife, I love you so much. I wouldn’t be standing here without you. Babe, I don’t know if I’d be breathing if it wasn’t for you.
“Parker, [Poirier’s daughter] daddy is fine. I love you so much. I’m so proud of you. We alright, baby. Always chase your dreams, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Who Next For Poirier If Retirement Is Not On The Cards Yet?
Although the result did not go his way, Poirier certainly won the admiration of many. Displaying he still has that fight in him, there is no question that he is capable of competing past the age of 35.
On his YouTube channel, another challenger in Alexander Volkanovski disclosed that he is willing to entertain a fight with the former interim lightweight champion. Volkanovski said: “Maybe, just maybe, depending on what I’m doing — obviously, I want to fight later in the year, I don’t know exactly what’s happening, I don’t want to wait too long either — so if the timing works out, maybe me and Dustin can have a good fight. I know he just wants good fights. Obviously, (we) have a lot of respect for each other, and I think that would be a massive fight.”
With the former featherweight champion being open to another temporary move up to 155lbs while he awaits the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, could we see Poirier enter the octagon just one more time?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
