Dustin Poirier drops bombshell, teases update on next opponent after recent retirement talk: “We already have a name”
Dustin Poirier has not finalized his decision to continue fighting or lay down the gloves for good. But should the lightweight fan-favorite return for one last dance, he already has an opponent lined up, according to 'The Diamond'.
The Louisiana native most recently faced off against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302. Ahead of the bout, there were rumors that Poirier would call time on his career.
But after being submitted in Round 5, the former interim lightweight champion did not retire. Interestingly, during an interview with Ariel Helwani several days later, he stated that had he defeated Makhachev, he would have walked away from MMA for good.
The 35-year old recently filmed a collaboration with MMA page and clothing store, Full Violence, where he shared an exciting update on his fighting future. He said:
"What's next for me? I'm not sure... Deep down in my heart I feel like I'm gonna fight again. My wife wants me to stop, my daughter wants me to stop, my mother wants me to stop. I've been doing it since I was seventeen, I'm thirty-five [now], so we'll see. If I do fight one more time, we already have a name."
Watch Dustin Poirier's interview below (0:48):
Dustin Poirier reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov bought his UFC 302 fight gear for charity
Dustin Poirier set up a charity called The Good Fight Foundation several years ago, and has since done wonders for those in need in his local area. Following his title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242, 'The Eagle' stated that he would sell his post-fight UFC shirt and donate the proceedings to Poirier's foundation.
Now, after the Louisiana native's title fight with Nurmagomedov's successor, Islam Makhachev, 'The Diamond' has revealed that the former lightweight king has once again contributed to his foundation.
Last month, his UFC 302 fight kit went up on auction, and he then revealed that Nurmagomedov purchased the fight gear for $30,000 during an interview with MMAJunkie.
See Dustin Poirier's comments below:
"He [Nurmagomedov] purchased it... $30,000. He came through, we shipped it off, backpacks are getting filled." [H/T: MMA Junkie]