Moving forward, Dustin Poirier is only looking for fights that will add something to his legacy.
Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC), the former UFC interim lightweight champion, has come so close to reaching the pinnacle of the sport but fell short in his title unification bout against lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov last September at UFC 242.
He was then able to rebound with a big win over Dan Hooker, outlasting him in an incredible “Fight of the Night” battle, proving that he’s not done yet.
But Poirier could be in a little bit of a quandary in terms of what’s next. With UFC interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje projected to unify his belt with Nurmagomedov next and Conor McGregor currently retired, there aren’t too many logical options out there for him.
All Poirier knows is that his next fight has to be worth his while. He’s been in plenty of grueling battles throughout his career and wants to close the final chapter of his career in meaningful fashion.
“I don’t know; I’m not sure what the options will be when the UFC comes back and starts sitting at the table to make these matches,” Poirier said on Monday’s episode of the “Jim Rome Show.” “It just needs to be a really big name or a title fight. I’ve been doing this for 10 years in the UFC, and I still love fighting, but I want these fights to mean more than just a fight. I don’t want it to just be about a show and win purse. I want it to really mean something, and I know I’m in the back nine of my career.
“I’ve been fighting for a while, I have 40 fights, and I want these last four or five years to really mean something every time I get into the octagon. Not only for me and my family, but for the goals that I’m trying to bring awareness to and raise money for and for my career. I really want to leave a legacy.”
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, who never got to compete in the highly-anticipated matchup against Nurmagomedov, would perhaps be a logical next opponent for Poirier. Another name that Poirier has been linked to in the past is Nate Diaz, who may not be in the title contention picture but has proven to be one of the biggest draws in the promotion.
