Dustin Poirier was good enough to secure the interim UFC strap … but always fell short when it came time to capture the undisputed crown.
Probably because “The Diamond” was faced with some of the most ruthless killers in the history of the promotion along with a handful of top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Charles Oliveira, among others.
“I did everything I could to become undisputed champion,” Poirier told NY Post. “I put myself in positions multiple times to get my hand raised and win that belt in the UFC, and just fell short. Just got beat by really good guys, made mistakes, and it is what it is. That’s life, that’s my story. I wouldn’t change anything; I’m proud of the work that I’ve put in. I’m proud of the things I’ve accomplished and the life that I’ve made.”
Poirier, 36, will finish his storied career atop the upcoming UFC 318 pay-per-view (PPV) event against longtime nemesis, Max Holloway. “The Diamond” has an opportunity to ride off into the sunset with the coveted “BMF” belt on Sat. night (July 19, 2025) in New Orleans.
“I’m never going to get another title fight,” Poirier told Ariel Helwani. “I’d have to win 10 in a row, probably, to get another one, and I don’t think I have it in me to go through what it takes to get another one. I just want to have a great fight and go out on my terms. When I brought it to the UFC’s attention that I wanted to do it in Louisiana and they entertained that, I was kind of blown away. It’s just an honor. I’m thankful the company listened.”
LIVE! Watch UFC 318 PPV On ESPN+ Here!
LEGENDARY TRILOGY / BMF SHOWDOWN! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., July 19, 2025, with a thrilling trilogy set to headline UFC 318 from inside Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. In UFC 318’s PPV main event, Max Holloway defends his BMF title against former interim Lightweight champion (and No. 3-ranked contender), Dustin Poirier, in a high-stakes, five-round clash that will mark the final fight for “The Diamond” before he retires from the sport. UFC 318’s PPV co-main event features Middleweight contenders Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov in a pivotal 185-pound bout rescheduled from UFC 317. UFC 318 will also showcase a Welterweight clash between Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, a Featherweight showdown pitting Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, a Lightweight bout featuring Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber and much more! UFC 318’s start time is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).
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