Dustin Poirier plans to experience off into the sundown following his upcoming struggle towards Max Holloway, which headlines UFC 318 in his house state of Louisiana.
The previous interim light-weight champion has been teasing his potential retirement for the previous couple of years however now Poirier is able to pull the set off with one final hurrah scheduled in New Orleans on July 19. The cardboard marks the primary UFC pay-per-view card in New Orleans in a decade and UFC CEO Dana White confirmed all the occasion was deliberate to provide Poirier a correct sendoff for his profession.
“All through the world, Dustin Poirier is an enormous star for us,” White instructed WDSU in Louisiana. “He’s achieved rather a lot within the sport. That is for him, to be sincere with you. That is for him. He wished to have his final struggle and finish his profession in New Orleans so right here we’re.”
Poirier has pushed for the UFC to return to New Orleans for a number of years together with his final look there taking place again in 2015 when he knocked out Yancy Medeiros at a UFC Battle Evening card.
Whereas Poirier by no means held an undisputed title throughout his UFC profession, White praised him as one of many biggest fighters to ever set foot within the octagon after spending the previous 15 years competing for the promotion between the UFC and WEC.
“Truly, he’s ranked No. 5 on this planet proper now within the light-weight division,” White mentioned about Poirier. “He’s a man who’s held his place within the prime 10 within the sport for a really very long time. He’s achieved rather a lot.
“He’s one of many all-time greats. 1000’s of individuals have fought within the UFC, I don’t know the place I may rank him however he’s one of many all-time greats.”
The identical goes for Poirier’s opponent as he prepares to face Holloway for a 3rd time.
Poirier obtained the win in each of their earlier encounters with a submission victory towards Holloway when he first debuted within the UFC again in 2012 after which incomes a unanimous choice over the Hawaiian once they met once more with the interim light-weight title on the road in 2019.
Now Holloway seems to be to avenge these previous losses whereas entering into enemy territory together with his “BMF” title going up for grabs towards Poirier in his house state.
“Poirier is combating Max Holloway — one other one of many all-time greats,” White mentioned. “It must be a tremendous struggle.”
