Dustin Poirier is set to embark on his final journey in the octagon at UFC 318 this Saturday, taking place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. This highly anticipated event will see Poirier facing off against Max Holloway in a BMF title fight, marking a bittersweet conclusion to his storied career.
Poirier, also known as “The Diamond,” announced this farewell fight following his last attempt at claiming the undisputed lightweight title over a year ago. Despite the opportunity to add the symbolic BMF belt to his accolades, he will retire without ever holding the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. This reality has led to frustrations expressed by his wife, Jolie, who believes that a misjudgment by the UFC played a role in her husband’s title pursuits.
In a recent Instagram interaction hosted by ESPN MMA, Jolie reflected on Poirier’s remarkable achievements, highlighting their special moments, including his victory against Max Holloway for the interim title in 2019 and his knockout win against Conor McGregor in 2021. She lamented, “He should’ve walked out with the undisputed 155 title that night since it was vacated lol #stillsalty.”
Although the lightweight belt had not been officially vacated at the time of Poirier’s match against McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement announcement just months prior created a scenario where many fans, including Jolie, believed Poirier should have fought for the undisputed title.
Adding layers to the conversation, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski shared his own views on Poirier’s career, identifying his victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 as a standout moment, suggesting it showcased Poirier’s resilience and ability to triumph over adversity.
As Poirier gears up for his farewell fight, it is a moment of reflection on his contributions and legendary moments within the UFC. There is hope that he will conclude his career on a high note, further solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s greats. Fans are left inspired, not only by his accomplishments but by the passion and determination he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career.