UFC star Dustin Poirier announced his retirement earlier this year after his loss to Max Holloway, and so far, the fighter has mixed feelings about it.
“The Diamond” retired in July 2025 after suffering defeat in his hometown of Louisiana, closing out a remarkable 41-fight career. Despite the loss, Poirier seems content with his retirement decision, although he admitted the first couple of weeks were tough for him. In a post on X, Poirier revealed that he misses his octagon walkouts and sometimes feels left out.
“Every day, the moment my eyes open,” Poirier wrote in response to a commenter asking if he missed fighting. “I’ve done it for two decades, dedicated my life to it. A part of me has died.”
Regardless of his retirement, the fighter still keeps up with MMA action. During an exchange with a fan on X, Poirier shared his pick for a possible bout between Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway.
Dustin Poirier began his professional career in 2009, earning a 7-0 record before joining the WEC and later the UFC. He quickly climbed the featherweight ranks but never fought for a title in that division. However, he scored several notable victories, including a first-round submission of future rival Max Holloway, before moving up to lightweight.
At lightweight, Poirier made his mark with a 9-1 (1 NC) run, defeating Holloway again at UFC 236 to win the interim belt before falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a unification bout at UFC 242. He continued to rack up Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses, along with two high-profile victories over Conor McGregor.
Dustin Poirier may have stepped away from competition, but his legacy as one of the most resilient and respected fighters in UFC history remains unshakable.
