Latest news with #BMFtitle
Daily Mail
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
UFC legend Dustin Poirier lands his first job since hanging up his gloves - as the former interim champion prepares for a new career
Dustin Poirier is set to embark on a new career just weeks after hanging up his gloves. The 36-year-old returned to the Octagon for the final time last month to complete his trilogy with Max Holloway. In the main event of UFC 318 the pair met inside the Octagon for the final time with the symbolic BMF title on the line. In a clash befitting of both fighters' reputations as fan favourites Poirier ultimately found himself on the wrong side of a unanimous decision before tearfully bidding farewell to the sport. However, mere weeks after calling time on his UFC career, Poirier is set for a return to screens. The former interim lightweight champion is set to serve as an analyst at next weekend's UFC 319 pay-per-view, according to a report from MMA Junkie. But now the former interim champion will serve as an on-screen analyst for the promotion, starting from next weekend's UFC 319 'Looking forward to getting back on the ESPN desk going to start focusing on that now,' Poirier wrote on X. The Louisiana native will join fellow former UFC title challengers Chael Sonnen and Anthony Smith to provide analysis for ESPN throughout the event. UFC 319 is main evented by a middleweight title clash between defending champion Dricus Du Plessis and undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev has been dominant since signing the promotion in 2020 and summarily defeated decorated former champion Robert Whittaker via first-round submission in October. Elsewhere on the card British middleweight contender Michael 'Venom' Page will look to move one step closer to a title shot when he takes on Jared Cannonier. Manchester's Lerone Murphy will also feature, as he puts his undefeated record on the line against recent UFC signee Aaron Pico.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Did ‘Diamond' Retire Too Soon?
Dustin Poirier had a tremendous send off last weekend at UFC 318 to end his storied UFC career, but did 'Diamond' pull the plug too soon? According to Poirier's head coach, Mike Brown, the UFC veteran stepped away from the fight game at the perfect time. Poirier, 36, knew he'd be retiring following the conclusion of his main event 'BMF' title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 318. The promotion stepped up by hosting the event in Poirier's own backyard in New Orleans, Louisiana, and promoted the heck out of 'Diamond's' last dance. They even allowed Poirier to walk out with rapper Lil Wayne. While the stars were aligned for Poirier to win his final UFC fight it was Holloway who ultimately played spoiler. 'Blessed' did more than enough over five hard rounds to capture a unanimous decision win and retain his 'BMF' title (watch highlights HERE). It wasn't the picture-perfect ending that Poirier wanted, but 'Diamond' still fought well and fight fans were more than entertained. Poirier definitely has some tread left on his tires, but considering he's only getting older and nowhere close to another UFC title shot it seems as if UFC 318 was the perfect time for him to retire. Some may disagree, but even Poirier's long-standing head coach believes it was the right move. 'It was the right time,' Brown recently told MMA Fighting. 'Maybe in some ways had he won, it might bother him more to want to keep fighting. Even thought he was out, he was like maybe I should keep going, maybe that would be in his head. Right? Like I'm not sure. Maybe it was good for him that he had an exciting fight but didn't get the 'W.' Maybe it was good for his psyche to accept that it's time to move on. 'Because maybe had he knocked Max out or something, maybe it would bother him that he's retiring too early or something like this. He's obviously one of the best lightweights of all time. His resume is incredible and all that. But it was time. It's good for him. He's made a great life for himself.' All in all, Poirier has had one hell of a UFC career as he walks away as one of the most beloved fighters ever. Brown is just happy to see Poirier exit the fight game in good health and on his own terms. '[Max Holloway is] really also one of the best fighters in the world, a legend, a Hall of Famer. So it wasn't an easy fight,' Brown said. '[Dustin] challenged himself. He didn't want an easy fight. He wanted a guy that was going to push him and be a tough fight. That's what he got. Kudos to him for wanting to push himself. 'I'm happy that he got out unhurt, unscathed and with no major damage. 99-percent are forced out. Very few do it like Dustin did and picked his own path and chose his time to go.' More from Miocic Responds To Pressure From White And Cormier White On 'Possibly' Stripping Miocic UFC 249 Embedded: Rousey Nearly Knocked Out Cruz? Midnight Mania! Sterling Vs. Sandhagen Possible June 6 Headliner UFC 249 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets! Khabib Plans July Return, Vows To 'Smash Them All' Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dustin Poirier's boxing coach pinpoints when Max Holloway fight was 'getting away from us'
NEW ORLEANS – Dyah Davis did his best to urge Dustin Poirier into more exchanges with Max Holloway at UFC 318, but ultimately it wasn't enough. Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) came up short of his fairytale retirement end this past Saturday when he dropped a unanimous decision to Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) in their BMF title trilogy bout in front of a raucous home state crowd in Louisiana. It was a largely thrilling affair, with Poirier getting hurt by strikes in the first and second rounds before nearly scoring a wild finish of his own late in Round 2. It was during that time where Davis, who served as a longtime boxing coach to Davis, started to see where the fight was really trending, and did his best to alter it. "I felt like I needed more volume," Davis told MMA Junkie. "We had to keep up with Max's pace. There were instances in the fight where I was asking him to be first, or, 'If you land a good shot to follow it up. You've got to test the water to see if the guy is hurt. You land a big shot, you've got to follow up and put him away.' In between rounds I was asking for more volume. "After Round 2, I kind of felt like the fight was getting away from us a little bit. I was trying to be instrumental in the corner to make sure he could go out there and change the direction of the fight. Even though he almost finished him in the second, going into Round 3 and Round 4, the writing was a little bit on the wall. In order to try to change the trajectory of the fight, I needed more output." Poirier, 36, couldn't deliver that output and lost by 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 scorecards. Holloway outlanded him 198-to-109 in significant strikes, with each being credited with one knockdown. "I try to watch the fight from an unbiased eye," Davis said. "Max's volume and body work was on display. He was busier. He was getting off and he was mobile, so he was able to get off his shots and then move. It kind of felt like we were almost chasing him a little bit and not able to get off when he was in position to punch." Although everyone on Poirier's team would've like to see him win the retirement fight, the result was somewhat inconsequential when "The Diamond" put down the gloves and was celebrated for his career. Davis has been there for much of the journey, with Poirier's knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January 2021 being a distinct moment. Their personal relationship will go on, but Davis admits the process leading up to his farewell bout and the subsequent aftermath has led to much emotional turbulence. "Leading up this fight it's been bittersweet," Davis said. "We know he's had a monumental career and it's coming to an end, but he deserves to see what's on the other side of it. He's been at this for a very long time. It's bittersweet, but I'm happy." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dustin Poirier's boxing coach pinpoints errors in UFC retirement loss
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dustin Poirier's boxing coach pinpoints when Max Holloway fight was 'getting away from us'
NEW ORLEANS – Dyah Davis did his best to urge Dustin Poirier into more exchanges with Max Holloway at UFC 318, but ultimately it wasn't enough. Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) came up short of his fairytale retirement end this past Saturday when he dropped a unanimous decision to Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) in their BMF title trilogy bout in front of a raucous home state crowd in Louisiana. It was a largely thrilling affair, with Poirier getting hurt by strikes in the first and second rounds before nearly scoring a wild finish of his own late in Round 2. It was during that time where Davis, who served as a longtime boxing coach to Davis, started to see where the fight was really trending, and did his best to alter it. "I felt like I needed more volume," Davis told MMA Junkie. "We had to keep up with Max's pace. There were instances in the fight where I was asking him to be first, or, 'If you land a good shot to follow it up. You've got to test the water to see if the guy is hurt. You land a big shot, you've got to follow up and put him away.' In between rounds I was asking for more volume. "After Round 2, I kind of felt like the fight was getting away from us a little bit. I was trying to be instrumental in the corner to make sure he could go out there and change the direction of the fight. Even though he almost finished him in the second, going into Round 3 and Round 4, the writing was a little bit on the wall. In order to try to change the trajectory of the fight, I needed more output." Poirier, 36, couldn't deliver that output and lost by 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 scorecards. Holloway outlanded him 198-to-109 in significant strikes, with each being credited with one knockdown. "I try to watch the fight from an unbiased eye," Davis said. "Max's volume and body work was on display. He was busier. He was getting off and he was mobile, so he was able to get off his shots and then move. It kind of felt like we were almost chasing him a little bit and not able to get off when he was in position to punch." Although everyone on Poirier's team would've like to see him win the retirement fight, the result was somewhat inconsequential when "The Diamond" put down the gloves and was celebrated for his career. Davis has been there for much of the journey, with Poirier's knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January 2021 being a distinct moment. Their personal relationship will go on, but Davis admits the process leading up to his farewell bout and the subsequent aftermath has led to much emotional turbulence. "Leading up this fight it's been bittersweet," Davis said. "We know he's had a monumental career and it's coming to an end, but he deserves to see what's on the other side of it. He's been at this for a very long time. It's bittersweet, but I'm happy." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dustin Poirier's boxing coach pinpoints errors in UFC retirement loss
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dustin Poirier says loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318 comes with no regrets, but "now's the time" for retirement
Dustin Poirier has officially ridden off into the sunset. UFC 318 was all about "The Diamond" down in New Orleans, Louisiana this past Saturday. The Smoothie King Center hosted the first Louisiana UFC event in over a decade to deliver the ultimate retirement send-off with Poirier's final bout, a BMF title trilogy fight against longtime rival Max Holloway. In another epic encounter, Poirier ultimately came up short via a unanimous decision. Poirier stated after the fight that he felt it was closer than the scorecards indicated, but has since changed his mind after watching the fight later that night. "Being in the eye of the storm and the way you're feeling with the adrenaline and shots you're landing, going back to the stool each round, it felt a lot different than what it looked like from outside when I watched it," Poirier said on Monday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I see how he won these rounds. He was busier, throwing more volume, landed good body shots. Just adding up scores in the piggybank. "I watch it back, I can see myself, I wouldn't say hesitant, but not pulling the trigger like I should have been. Not being as offensive as I should have been. I think that was subliminally done, just self-preservation, trying to get backstage. Knowing this is the last one, at the end of the night the rankings didn't matter, my next fight didn't matter. Not that I pulled back. I gave it my all, but I could have put myself in harm's way to maybe make something happen, for sure." Noting his questionable hesitancy, it begs the question of whether or not Poirier has any regrets about his in-fight decisions. Ultimately, as with the rest of his career, Poirier said he's at peace. "I don't think [I regret it]," Poirier said. "Obviously, I tried to hurt him. If I would have landed a shot that hurt him when I dropped him, I tried to finish him. But it could have been horrible. I could have tried to land a big shot or go down the way to put myself in harm's way, like I'm saying, and I could have been knocked out. My brain could have got shaken up worse. So it is what is. I tried to fight a smart fight, be a professional, protect myself at all times, and land shots that I thought were good counters, or good timing when he was open." For Holloway, this trilogy was his first fight as a full-time lightweight after competing as a featherweight for the majority of his career. His last 155-pound bout came at UFC 300 last year, when he famously knocked out Justin Gaethje in the final second after inviting a brawl in the center of the cage to close the final round. The second Poirier-Holloway encounter in 2019 went without the exchange, but this time around Poirier fully expected it. He just didn't expect it to be as much of a challenge as it was. "What happened was what I thought was going to happen," Poirier said of the end of the fight. "The point down, and we were going to exchange punches, but he was just too fast. He was too fast, and I might have thrown one or two punches back at him and I said, 'We're just going to clinch up, we're going to wrestle a little bit. I'm not doing this. I'm not going out like Gaethje.' But I could have landed a shot, too. I just didn't. Once I threw one or two, he was throwing off three or four by the time my two were thrown. And I just thought it was a lot closer in the moment." Poirier, 36, ends his legendary career on the only pair of back-to-back losses he ever suffered in his 41 professional fights, ending with a 30-10 (1 NC) record. The former featherweight-turned-lightweight legend was crowned the interim champion with his second Holloway win, and went undefeated in non-title fights from 2017 onward until this dance in New Orleans. Still a highly-ranked competitor at the time of his retirement, Poirier fully expects to stay true to his word and permanently move on from active competition. That doesn't mean he couldn't still hold down his spot as one of the world's best, however, even if he's choosing to walk away now. "I know I have a couple left in me, for sure," Poirier said. "Physically, I'm fine. I can keep rocking, for sure. I'm not going to leave that much of myself in this sport, in this Octagon. I mean, now's the time. I just feel like I have other things I care about more than fighting. And that never was a thought process or way of feeling and loving things ever before in my life."
