Dustin Poirier has massive plans as soon as his UFC profession is over.
Later this month, Poirier will make the stroll to the cage for the ultimate time when he takes on Max Holloway for the ‘BMF’ title in the primary occasion of UFC 318. The occasion was constructed round Poirier’s impending retirement, with the promotion heading to New Orleans particularly for “The Diamond,” and he admits he’s acquired quite a lot of feelings as he prepares to make his final stroll.
“I’m petrified of it,” Poirier advised ESPN. “It’s bittersweet. I’ve achieved this longer than I haven’t. And actually, I beat myself up — I don’t need to say beat myself up, I spin my wheels. I give it some thought on a regular basis. I do know I’ve much more to offer. I’m leaving some huge cash on the desk, I’m leaving nice fights on the desk, however it’s like, that’s the explanation I’m strolling away. Am I going to be the world champion? To get one other title shot? I’ve had three.
“To get one other one goes to be powerful, and I don’t know if I’ve it in me to place collectively that win streak. However I’ve nice fights left in me. So I’m strolling away once I suppose I’m at my finest proper now. I simply fought Islam tooth and nail, had an excellent combat, and I really feel like I can nonetheless beat him. I can beat him, I believe. However it’s simply time.
“I’m a father. I need to have one other child. And I need to do issues outdoors of the octagon. If I’m not going to be the world champion, then I’m simply displaying up for a paycheck, and that’s not who I need to be.”
However whereas Poirier can be unhappy to depart the game, it’s not all unhealthy information, as a result of as soon as he formally retires from MMA, Poirier has massive plans on precisely who he desires to be; particularly, swoll.
“This would be the final time I’m ever 155 kilos in my life,” Poirier joked. “I can promise you that. Pay attention, I’m getting on steroids. As soon as USADA stops knocking on my door, and I lay the gloves down, I’m getting jacked and tan.
“That’s the reality. My spouse’s like, ‘No, you’re not.’ I’m getting on it. That’s the sincere reality.”
Poirier shouldn’t be the one fighter who was able to embrace performance-enhancing medicine as soon as they have been out of competitors, as Donald Cerrone famously did simply that. However that’s not all Poirier intends to do in retirement, as a result of whereas he’s stepping away from competitors, he’s not leaving MMA.
“I like the game. I watch each combat,” Poirier stated. “Not simply UFC, each group. I watch every part. I’m an enormous fan of the game and I adore it, and all the time have been. I need to keep linked to it by some means. Hopefully, preserve getting on with ESPN or working the desk, simply to remain across the sport and be a voice in it, as a result of it’s created the life I’ve. All I do know is that this. I don’t have another — so talking about it and being linked is one thing that’s vital to me.
“I don’t know if I’m ever going to open a health club or something like that. That’s not a ardour of mine. However I’d love to assist fighters. I’ll nonetheless return to American High Workforce and assist guys with fights, native guys in Louisiana, their upcoming fights, I attempt to assist out as a lot as I can, as a result of combating was a automobile to grow to be who I’m now, and to get me out of the place I used to be. I do know it may be that for different individuals, so I need to help them in that journey into the unknown of combating. It’s stunning when it really works out, and it’s stunning when it doesn’t, for those who embrace all of it.”
UFC 318 takes place on July 19 at Smoothie King Middle in New Orleans.
