Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has had a long and storied mixed martial arts career. He debuted as a professional in May of 2009 and has fought 30 times in the UFC octagon.
“The Diamond” has fought the biggest names in the lightweight division and holds two wins over former two-division titleholder Conor McGregor. He earned Fight of the Night honors a record nine times and captured the interim 155-pound championship.
On June 1, in the UFC 302 main event, Poirier will have the opportunity to become the undisputed lightweight champion after two previously failed attempts when he takes on titleholder Islam Makhachev. It could also be the last fight in Poirier’s career.
“I’ve just given this sport so much, not only physically but my time, my focus. Being a fighter you have to be so focused on you. I want to be with my family. I want to focus on my daughter, what she’s got going on, my wife, my foundation, businesses I have back home. I just have a lot of stuff that kind of gets put on hold so to say for me to chase these dreams. You have to be selfish to be one of the best. I’ve been doing it for so long. I’m approaching 18 years of fighting and I want to become the world champion and live my life. I’ve dedicated so much to fighting over the past 18 years that it’s time to be like a civilian I feel like,” Poirier told Fight Bananas.
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During the interview, Poirier admitted that his UFC 302 title bout could be his last octagon appearance. The 35-year-old is looking ahead to a life outside of the fight game whether becomes champion or not.
“It could be (my last fight). It could be. I haven’t made like an official decision yet, but it could be,” he said. “I’ve said this over and over again. I still have a lot of tread on the tired. I can beat these guys. I can beat these young guys. I just did it. I still feel good. My body feels good, but it’s just like how much do I want to give to this sport because you don’t ride for free.”
https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/ufc-302-title-fight-could-be-dustin-poiriers-last-octagon-appearance
