‘Don't want to empty myself out' – Dustin Poirier reveals heartfelt fears which prompted UFC 318 retirement

The Sun

3 days ago

DUSTIN POIRIER insists he's content with his decision to retire from mixed martial arts,
That's despite still being very much at the peak of his powers.
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The bona fide Hall of Famer's career will come to an emotional and poetic end early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans.
Unlike many before him, the 36-year-old's hanging up of the gloves hasn't been prompted by the regression of his skillset or the absorption of unnecessary punishment.
In his last two fights with Islam Makhachev and Benoit Saint Denis, the Lafayette, Louisiana leftie has shown that he can still mix it with the very best the lightweight division has to offer.
But he's determined to walk away from the sport which has brought him fame and fortune on his terms and, more importantly, while he still has all his faculties intact.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said: "I've been fighting since I was 17 years old, so making this decision is tough.
"But the decision was made because, you know, I have over 50 fights.
"My wife's pregnant, I have a little girl at home. I've said this over and over again, 'I don't want this sport to retire me.
"'I want to walk away from this sport.' And if that's putting only great performances and fighting and beating the best guys in the world, that's the way I want it to be.
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"I want to go out on top with stuff still left in the tank.
"I don't want to empty myself out and leave this game broken and bruised for a paycheck.
"It's just time. I just feel like it's time, you know. I've done a lot in the sport.
"And I want to be healthy and be with my family. I've been doing this for a very long time."
Poirier's eagerness not to have the sport retire him is wise, given the worrying effects of traumatic brain injuries we're starting to see in some of the greats of yesteryear.
The temptation to continue fighting and pursue undisputed UFC gold, the only thing which has eluded him in his run in the promotion, has been strong.
Even just this week, the little devil on his left shoulder was telling him to go full 'Wolf of Wall Street' and roar: "I'm not f * ****g leaving!"
He admitted: "There are moments like when I'm driving to the gym and stuff that reality sets in.
"And [I'm like], 'I can't believe this is the last time I'm ever gonna do this. But my decision has been made."
Poirier will likely go down as the greatest fighter to never have an undisputed UFC title wrapped around his waist.
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Winning one of his three cracks at the lightweight title would've undoubtedly further cemented what is an already historic career.
But those losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Makhachev won't eat away at him as much as you'd think.
"I'm grateful for everything," he said. "All the lessons I've learned and the accomplishments I've had throughout the sport.
"I had a good run, I really did. And I'm proud of it."
MMA retirements are often looked at with a side-eye due to the sheer number of fighters who have performed U-turns or entered the world of boxing.
But with mental and physical well-being now being his top priority, Poirier insists neither will end up being the case for him.
He said: "I'm still going to be in the gym, so we'll see about grappling.
"If something fun came along, maybe I would do a grappling match or something like that in the future.
"But [as far as] combat sports, I'm gonna protect my brain and try to age as healthy as I can after post-fighting."
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Countless pugilists and mixed martial artists have publicly struggled with life after fighting, with many openly admitting they've suffered identity crises.
Unlike many before him, Poirier has financial interests outside of fighting to keep himself busy.
Although he admits: "I don't think anything's ever gonna fill that void of what fighting was throughout my career.
"So that could be a little bit of struggle to be at war with something so deeply the way I've been with combat sports."
The honour of being Poirier's last dance partner, fittingly, goes to a man he welcomed to the UFC 13 years ago - former featherweight champion Max Holloway.
Poirier is 2-0 in his series with the Hawaiian, who was his dance partner when he claimed interim lightweight gold at UFC 236 in April 2019.
That fight was a war for the ages, something Poirier believes will be the case when they collide again in their Bayou brawl this weekend.
"I feel like it's gonna be a lot like the last one," he said when asked how he foresees his swansong playing out. "Back and forth on the feet, but just at a higher level and a higher IQ.
"It's going to be a battle, you know. It's gonna be a battle like the second one, I'm sure."
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