Coach Mike Brown discusses Dustin Poirier postponing retirement, talks potential next opponents: "He wants a tough fight"
Coach Mike Brown recently addressed Dustin Poirier's decision to postpone retirement after 'The Diamond' found himself contemplating whether to step away from the sport following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
Notably, this was his third defeat in a championship bout, leading many to speculate about his next move. Brown, Poirier’s long-time coach, shared insights into the fighter's mindset, highlighting the former UFC interim lightweight champion’s passion for competition and the emotional tug-of-war he faces when considering retirement.
Speaking about Poirier's decision to keep fighting in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Brown said:
“He just can’t say goodbye. He's been saying that for a while... He's been saying that [considering retirement] for [last] 15 fights and [keeps] beating the best guys in the world... I think he just loves it too much... Once he's out of the ring and back home, I think he goes stir-crazy. That's what makes him tick, what's next?"
Brown also claimed that a well-planned final fight in Louisiana, Poirier's home state, would prove to be a fitting farewell. Speaking about potential opponents for his next fight, Brown said:
“There’s a handful of guys that would make sense for him too. They’ve talked about [Justin] Gaethje, they've talked about a trilogy with Max [Holloway], they’ve talked about [Nate] Diaz. All those fights mentioned would excite him. Just not any fight will get him pumped up... He wants a tough fight.”
Check out Mike Brown's comments below (15:50):
Daniel Cormier sheds light on why he thinks Dustin Poirier is not ready to retire
Daniel Cormier believes Dustin Poirier's retirement discussions were never serious. After Poirier's loss against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, he contemplated stepping away from the sport, claiming that his chances for another title shot were slim even if he achieved a winning streak.
Shedding light on the matter during a recent discussion on ESPN MMA's Good Guy/ Bad Guy, Cormier noted that Poirier has frequently mentioned retirement, but he always intended to keep competing. The former UFC two-division champion feels that Poirier still possesses the skills to challenge many fighters. Cormier said:
"He spoke of retirement before he fought Benoit Saint Denis, he spoke of being done after he lost to Islam Makhachev, it was never true. He was always going to fight again... The reason I think he should fight more is because he's still good enough to beat so many guys in the world. He is not done, he is still young. You don't stop fighting when you still have the ability to compete... He has a lot to give. He never was walking away, he is too much of a fighter."
Check out Daniel Cormier's comments below (5:20):