Dustin Poirier admits the fact of his retirement in all probability received’t hit him till after his combat in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 318 is completed, but it surely’s nearly inconceivable for him to keep away from that topic.
With a whole occasion constructed round his last combat, which is going on his residence state of Louisiana, Poirier undoubtedly understands the magnitude of this second. The overwhelming majority of fighters don’t get these sorts of alternatives however that additionally speaks to Poirier selecting now as his time to stroll away reasonably than going till the wheels fall off.
“I believe it’s simply the best time,” Poirier mentioned throughout UFC 318 media day. “I don’t need to get retired from the game. I don’t need this sport to chew me up. I need to stroll away. I don’t need it to retire me.”
Poirier comes into the combat whereas he’s nonetheless ranked among the many finest lightweights within the sport and he’s going through off with a future Corridor of Famer in Holloway. An added bonus for this matchup is Holloway placing his “BMF” title up for grabs, which might probably function the ultimate time that belt will get defended if Poirier wins after which walks away.
Poirier admits that may truly be the proper exclamation level to his profession.
“It might be large. I’d be a dream come true,” Poirier mentioned. “My final combat, lay the gloves down in Louisiana, my debut within the UFC I walked out to a Lil’ Wayne track. My last combat within the UFC, I’m strolling out with Lil’ Wayne. I offered a fantastic life for my household chasing my dream. I’ve discovered rather a lot about myself. I’ve constructed companies. I’ve constructed relationships with individuals which are going to be a part of my life without end.
“Going out with that belt in Louisiana, not getting on a flight Sunday morning, driving residence in a state the place I used to be raised and reside is a storybook ending. If I can get my hand raised Saturday evening, stroll out of there with the ‘BMF’ belt, I’m the baddest motherf*cker without end.”
After all getting by means of Holloway isn’t any straightforward activity in order that’s another excuse why Poirier isn’t permitting his thoughts to wander an excessive amount of concerning his looming retirement.
He’s calling it a profession on Saturday whatever the consequence however Holloway is aware of that beating Poirier places him proper again within the thick of the title hunt with hopes that he can finally problem for the UFC light-weight strap.
The combat serves as Holloway’s return to 155 kilos after he suffered a knockout loss for the primary time in his profession when he confronted Ilia Topuria this previous October. These sorts of fights can take a toll however Poirier isn’t anticipating something lower than the best possible from Holloway.
“With the sturdiness discuss, it’s powerful to say,” Poirier mentioned about Holloway getting back from the knockout. “Loads of issues play into that: genetics, life-style, every kind of stuff. We’ll discover out Saturday evening if that shot actually affected him. That’s my objective is to search out out. However I’m anticipating one other conflict. I’ve been saying this each interview when requested about this trilogy with Max. It is a trilogy spanning 13 years. We’ve met at totally different factors, we have been totally different fighters, totally different males so every combat has been so totally different. Even wanting again to the final combat with him, there’s little takeaways however I believe it is a complete totally different factor. It’s thrilling.
“Max is a legend, Corridor of Famer, achieved unimaginable issues in his profession, going to proceed to take action and a great particular person. So preventing him for the final one it appears poetic. Me being his debut within the UFC, him being my final combat. All the things’s taking place on the proper time.”
As soon as the combat is over, Poirier’s storied profession involves an finish and it received’t take lengthy for the tributes to begin pouring in.
After all, Poirier appreciates all the sort phrases which have already been mentioned within the lead as much as this occasion however he nonetheless doesn’t essentially see himself in the way in which that followers and his fellow fighters view him and his profession.
“I simply really feel like a standard man,” Poirier mentioned. “A fighter chasing goals. I don’t look again and suppose I did do some fairly cool stuff! However the love and outreach from followers and stuff has been unimaginable this final coaching camp. I really feel appreciated. It feels good. As a result of I by no means sit again and take a look at myself like that. I’m at all times chasing the objective. I by no means take a look at it. It’s been numerous love.”
So how does Poirier hope he’s remembered after Saturday evening is completed?
“That any time you noticed my title on a card or noticed a combat of mine get introduced, you knew it was going to be a conflict and I used to be going to depart all of it in there,” Poirier mentioned. “I didn’t reduce corners. I simply took what I used to be given in that second and made the perfect the perfect of it to arrange myself for these fights. I at all times gave it my all. I simply need individuals to recollect me as a warrior.”
