Dustin Poirier has a list of names.
At UFC 302, Poirier's hopes of becoming a lightweight champion fell short, losing by fifth-round submission to Islam Makhachev. After the fight, Poirier suggested it might be his final MMA fight, but in recent weeks “The Diamond” has walked that back, saying he still wants to compete, and now it seems all but certain that Poirier will return to the Octagon at least one more time.
“The motivation to fight needs to change from within,” Poirier told Jon Anik and Kenny Florian. Anik & Florian On the podcast, he said: “If the world title isn't the goal, why fight? After the Islam fight, when I got home I thought, 'Maybe this is the last time?' As the weeks went by, and the pain from the post-fight injury lessened, I thought, 'I have to do it again.' I've never lost two fights in a row. I can't quit the sport with a loss.
“But at the same time, if I were to do it again, I want to give it 100 percent because I don't want to disrespect the sport. I respect the sport, I really do. I just want to do it right, put my hand up and walk away winning on my terms. But there's no guarantee. I could go out on the court again and someone could beat me. That's the problem.”
The man most often linked to a potential Poirier return is Nate Diaz. Poirier and Diaz have a long history together, and Diaz recently hinted at a possible return to UFC, so a fight would make sense for the promotion. But Poirier is skeptical it will happen.
“As far as Diaz goes, I'm in constant communication behind the scenes with UFC about my next move,” Poirier said. “We're talking about when I want to fight again, the extent of his injury, etc. And the last time I mentioned his name, they didn't want to talk about him, they didn't want to do business with him. A lot of fans don't know, but behind the scenes it was tough dealing with him and I think they just don't want to do it anymore.”
“But if it came to fruition, I would 100 percent take the fight right now and sign the contract today. Nate knows that, because I've done it a few times.”
So, if Diaz is unlikely to compete, who could be Poirier's post-retirement opponent?
In the end, it turns out there are a few options.
Anik listed several possible opponents for the former interim lightweight champion, and Poirier acknowledged that his next (and likely final) fight will be with someone from that list.
“Do you think your next opponent will be one of these guys?” Anik asked: “Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira or Colby Covington.”
“100 percent,” Poirier responded, “… absolutely. If I ever fight again, and I do, it will be against someone like you just mentioned.”
