Calling former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier a favorite of Dana White & Co. wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Think about it—how many fighters get the promotion to build an entire event around their homecoming? ‘The Diamond’ is certainly one of the rare few! Ever since he made his pro debut back in 2009, Poirier has dreamt of ending his fighting journey in his home state of Louisiana. The UFC hasn’t staged an event in Louisiana since 2015, but that’s about to change.
To honor Dustin Poirier‘s legendary run, the promotion is going all out to make his retirement fight at UFC 318 a truly unforgettable night for him and his fans. This isn’t just another fight card—it’s a celebration! The Lafayette native will square off against former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder Max Holloway, a fitting opponent for what will be Poirier’s “last dance” in the Octagon. Poirier and Holloway have shared the cage twice before, with ‘The Diamond’ leading their series 2-0 heading into what feels like the final chapter in New Orleans.
However, as the trilogy nears, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has stirred up conversation with some bold observations. Sonnen pointed out that historically, when legends are on the verge of retirement, the UFC usually pits them against rising contenders to “pass the torch”—a tradition we’ve seen in matchups like Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture at UFC 100 and Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 217. But this time, Sonnen believes the UFC is breaking its own unwritten rule.
In a recent Instagram clip, Sonnen said, “I think that’s very respectful to Poirier. I think the way the organization is treating Poirier looks good. Nobody gets to go out on top. They then put him in there with Max, and Max is a pain in the a-s for everybody. They have done this fight twice, once at this very weight class — it was not competitive; Dustin went right through him. So, to follow the rule that a guy who is going out has to pass the torch and doesn’t go out on top, that rule is being broken to give him an opportunity against someone we know he can beat.”
Initially, there was significant uncertainty about who would face Poirier in his farewell fight. However, with Max Holloway now confirmed as the opponent, the Lafayette native couldn’t have asked for a more fitting end to his storied career. After all, it was Poirier who first welcomed ‘Blessed’ into the UFC back in Holloway’s debut at UFC 143 when the Hawaiian was only 20 years old. Now, Poirier hopes Holloway will be the final name on his opponent list, closing the chapter on his legendary career.
At 36 years old, Poirier himself admits that he’s no longer the same fighter he was in his prime. Over his last five Octagon appearances, he holds a 2-3 record, with his most recent loss coming in a title bout against Islam Makhachev. Since that defeat, the former interim lightweight champion has stepped away from active competition, focusing on exploring new career options beyond the cage. Poirier has made it clear that he’s no longer fighting for paychecks — only for championships.
Now, he’s ready to move on and shift his focus to a future as a desk analyst with his latest gig coming at UFC 314 (overall 4th). Moreover, ‘The Diamond’ wants to dedicate time to his family, especially his daughter. But when it comes to being a true favorite of Dana White and the UFC, Din Thomas didn’t hold back on his thoughts about Poirier. Let’s take a closer look at what he had to say.
UFC veteran warns Dustin Poirier about his hometown retirement plan
While many believe Dustin Poirier is one of Dana White and the UFC’s true favorites, it’s no coincidence the promotion is setting up an event in New Orleans to honor his final fight. ‘The Diamond’ and his fans are just a few months away from witnessing his “last dance“—something the former interim champion has been open about. Initially, Poirier envisioned facing only “legends” for his farewell bout, but the plan seems to have shifted along the way.
Still, not everyone is convinced that Poirier’s retirement fight will have a storybook ending. UFC veteran and coach Din Thomas recently offered a blunt warning while speaking with MMA Junkie, shedding light on the harsh realities of the fight game. “One thing I know about the UFC: They don’t give a damn about your retirement fight,” Thomas said.
“In fact, they would like to see you on your retirement fight get taken out on a stretcher, in a neck brace. That’s the game. If you can have a retirement fight they know about and you come out on top, you’ve won. You’ve beat the UFC. Nate Diaz beat the UFC. But it doesn’t happen.”
With that in mind, what’s your take on Chael Sonnen’s claim? Do you think the UFC bent their own rules by booking Max Holloway, who is 0-2 against Dustin Poirier, for this matchup at UFC 318 in New Orleans? Share your thoughts below!
The post Dana White & Co. Accused of Breaking ‘Rule’ to Make Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway Trilogy Fight for UFC Legend’s ‘Last Dance’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.