Latest news with #Poirier
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Dustin Poirier didn't win the BMF belt, but he got something even better from his daughter
Dustin Poirier fell short as he tried to claim the BMF title from Max Holloway in his retirement fight at UFC 318, and if he was salty at all about the result, those feelings certainly went away once he returned home. On Monday's episode of "The Ariel Helwani Show," Poirier showed us what he received from his 8-year-old daughter, Parker, when he walked through the door, and it's sure to make your heart melt. 'She hates curse words and stuff like that, so she doesn't like the BMF belt. But she gave me this. She made me this for me," Poirier said. "I don't have the BMF, but I got the BDE. … Where the BMF belt was gonna go, I got this bad boy. "This is a one of one right here: Best Dad Ever belt.' Poirier, 36, retired after fighting professionally since 2009, including more than 14 years in the UFC. While he claimed the interim lightweight title in 2019, Poirier went on to come up short in three attempts at winning the undisputed title – against Khabib Nurmagomedov (September 2019), Charles Oliveira (December 2021), and Islam Makhachev (June 2024). But does any of that matter anymore? He's got a homemade belt from his little girl that he can proudly display. Nothing tops that!
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dustin Poirier weighs in on Max Holloway's chances in Ilia Topuria rematch
NEW ORLEANS – Dustin Poirier thinks Max Holloway could do better in a rematch vs. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) lost his retirement fight to BMF champion Holloway in Saturday's UFC 318 headliner at Smoothie King Center. Prior to beating Poirier, Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23- 8 UFC) was knocked out by Topuria for the first time in his career at UFC 308. Holloway was also dropped by Poirier in their fight, and "The Diamond" was asked if he thinks Holloway's chin has now been compromised. "I have a lot of finishes, Gaethje has a lot of finishes, obviously Ilia is knocking everybody out back-to-back," Poirier told MMA Junkie. "It could just be a bad run, it could be time catching up. As he continues, we'll see. It's tough to say because everybody is so different genetically. It's a wild thing to try and pinpoint, but if he starts getting hurt with shots we know would never hurt him three years ago, then we can make that conclusion. I think it's still too early. We need to see him in a few more fights." Holloway could be looking at a rematch with Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) next – an option UFC CEO Dana White did not rule out. If Holloway gets his wish, Poirier pointed to the rematch being at lightweight now instead of featherweight as a key factor. "I think Max would have to change up his approach to the fight," Poirier said. "You know, use his lateral footwork like he did with me, stay on the bike, use his length. But, man, if Ilia lands on anybody – like I said, anybody from 145 to 170, if he lands clean, I think he puts guys out. Maybe Max has a little bit more durability at '55, coming in a little bit healthier, a little bit more hydrated on fight night. Maybe that could play a little bit into him being able to absorb the shots, but we'll see."
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dustin Poirier 'content' after UFC 318, points to sign that retirement was right call
NEW ORLEANS – Dustin Poirier has no regrets walking away from MMA after UFC 318. Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) didn't get his fairytale ending after losing a unanimous decision to Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23- 8 UFC) for the BMF title in Saturday's headliner at Smoothie King Center. However, that doesn't mean that Poirier isn't grateful for the experience of having his retirement fight in his home state of Louisiana. "I feel content," Poirier told MMA Junkie a day after his fight. "Yeah, I feel content and happy with my career. Wish last night would have went a little bit different, but that's fighting, and I really had a good time out there, enjoyed the love, appreciated everybody. Seeing all the positive energy, it's been an incredible journey, an incredible career. What an experience. I got to learn so much in these years of fighting. I'm just thankful." Poirier initially took issue with the judges' scorecards, thinking he at least won Rounds 2 and 4. "Going through the fight and immediately my thoughts about what just happened, it was like I thought I did enough. I thought I did enough," Poirier said. "And then I got back and I watched it, like what you're feeling and going through in there, and then what you see as a fool from an outside view is two different things. I can see him winning rounds, throwing more volume, landing body shots, pulling away in rounds. So, what I watched was different than what I felt." Poirier and Holloway didn't earn Fight of the Night, which shocked Holloway, but "The Diamond" is happy that his last dance was another all-out war. Poirier proved to still be competitive at the highest level, but he noticed something that made him feel that retiring was the correct decision. "I just wanted one more battle, and he gave it to me," Poirier said. "I think in there, I felt like in between rounds talking to my boxing coach, I could have taken more chances, but I was trying to protect myself at the same time, and I never really fought like that before. I would always put myself in harm's way to land the big shots, and this one I didn't, and maybe that's a sign that the decision I made was the right one. Self-preservation, get home to my family safe, that type of thing."
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Video: Watch 'Paid In Full,' UFC's tear-jerking tribute to Dustin Poirier's career
The UFC sent Dustin Poirier into retirement with an emotional night in New Orleans. As a part of the tribute to "The Diamond," the promotion put together an incredible video titled "Paid In Full: The Dustin Poirier Story," which first played during the UFC 318 broadcast before his final fight against Max Holloway. With "Last of My Kind" by Shaboozey playing as the background track, Poirier sat in front of a large screen, watching moments throughout his career. Starting with clips from the 2011 documentary "Fightville," Poirier watched and reacted to tear-jerking interviews with his family and former coaches, Harry Duhon and Tim Credeur. The video not only touched on Poirier's career inside the cage, but outside, where he has made a big impact in his community with The Good Fight Foundation. Poirier added his own commentary as the clips of wins over Michael Chandler, Conor McGregor, and more. Check out the video above.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 318 reaction: What's Dustin Poirier's legacy after losing retirement fight?
Dustin Poirier didn't get his fairytale ending at UFC 318 when he came up short in his trilogy bout with Max Holloway. Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) came close to scripting the perfect end with a near-finish of Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, but he could not finish the fight and came out on the wrong of a unanimous decision in the BMF title bout on Saturday. "The Diamond" has now officially retired from MMA competition after leaving his gloves in the center of the cage, closing out a career that will hold the test of time and is universally admired. What type of legacy does Poirier leave behind in MMA, both in and out of the octagon? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Poirier's career.
