Former interim UFC light-weight titleholder Dustin Poirier needs two fights in 2025 to finish his legendary profession within the Octagon.
Poirier hasn’t fought since a fifth-round submission loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June. After dropping his third profession lineal UFC title struggle, Poirier strongly advised retirement and that he’d stroll away after the struggle.
However, Poirier rapidly pivoted on that stance within the weeks and months after UFC 302. He needs at the least yet one more struggle earlier than calling it quits, probably a trilogy in opposition to Justin Gaethje.
Poirier is undoubtedly one of many greatest pay-per-view stars within the UFC and will headline for his meant comeback struggle. He needs to return in 2025, probably in entrance of his residence crowd in Louisiana.
After weeks of cryptic social media posts and opponent recommendations, Poirier has clarified his technique behind his subsequent UFC look(s).
Dustin Poirier targets Dan Hooker, Justin Gaethje for 2 doable remaining UFC fights
In a latest interview on The Ariel Helwani Present, Poirier spoke about his deliberate UFC returns, implying two fights might occur earlier than he hangs up the gloves.
“May very well be uno mas, may very well be dos mas,” Poirier stated. “My purpose is to get an occasion right here in Louisiana. Possibly New Orleans…that’s my purpose…I’m not asking for a good struggle, I needed the toughest fights I can get. I requested for Justin Gaethje, I requested for [Dan] Hooker…I’m healed up. I did a bunch of remedy periods on my knee…my nostril, I can’t breathe, however the whole lot else is nice…
“To be utterly content material: I’d love to put my gloves down at residence and by no means struggle once more,” Poirier continued. “End right here in entrance of my Louisiana family and friends, the individuals who have been supporting me since I used to be 17 years outdated by way of combating, and to exit on prime. To indicate I’m leaving, however I nonetheless have it, that’s necessary to me too…I wish to beat these guys, have robust fights, and stroll away on prime like ‘This man left when he was nonetheless on prime of his recreation’. That’s how I would like my story to be.”
The UFC hasn’t held an occasion in Louisiana since June 2015, a card headlined by Tim Boetsch vs. Dan Henderson. Poirier fought at that occasion and earned a first-round knockout victory in opposition to Yancy Medeiros in New Orleans.
UFC CEO Dana White has stated the promotion intends to return to completely different markets in 2025 and past. Seattle, Los Angeles, and different main places are within the combine for UFC occasions subsequent 12 months.
Earlier than the loss to Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier completed Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. The win acquired him again on monitor after a brutal head-kick knockout loss to Gaethje at UFC 291 for the BMF title.
Poirier is nearing a return to the Octagon and a struggle announcement appears imminent. Whereas an actual opponent hasn’t been shared for his return, Poirier has his thoughts set on Hooker and/or Gaethje to shut his profession out.