New Orleans — That’s a wrap on the career of Dustin Poirier, who competed for the final time in mixed martial arts at UFC 318 on Saturday.
The former interim lightweight champ and multiple time lightweight and BMF title challenger had an entire card built around him for his retirement party. The “kid from Louisiana” was given main event billing at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, with a chance for a storybook finish. MMA is a harsh mistress, however, and Poirier had to settle for going out on a decision loss in his third fight with Max Holloway.
“Obviously I wanted to win. Max is a great fighter, tough competitor. Being inside the eye of the storm, it felt a lot closer to me,” Poirier (30-10, 1NC) said following the bout, reacting to the judges’ scorecards while speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press. “I really thought it might have been 2-2 going into the fifth.”
Poirier and his coach reviewed the cards following the bout, and found the scoring to be somewhat all over the map, different judges awarding him different rounds. The outcome was the same regardless. “Being in the fight, it felt like a lot closer than that. When I heard the judge’s 49-whatever, I was like ‘no way, it was closer than that.'”
It doesn’t change a thing, however, and Poirier seemed to accept the result. “Like the man says, it is what it is.” As far as his effort in the bout, and whether the outcome might be an indicator that retirement is indeed the right decision, “I thought I was doing well,” Poirier opined. “It was close rounds every time. Looking back, hindsight is always 20-20, but I thought I fought smart. I tried to win, man, I really did.”
Dustin Poirier has never been one to dwell on his career or accomplishments, but understandably, that changed during Fight Week ahead of UFC 318, and his final walk to the octagon. Now, he’s looking at what he wants his career to mean, and it comes down to inspiring others.
“The love and the outreach this week has been incredible, and I really feel it. I really feel it, and I’m just thankful that people got inspired or people followed my journey. You can do anything you put your mind to, and that’s what I want my story to be,” stated Poirier. “I want people to realize that. No matter where you come from, if you believe and work hard enough, you can make dreams happen. I’m just a kid out here, walking out with Lil Wayne, living his dreams. Crazy. Putting on wars with the best guys in the world, that’s, what a beautiful life. It’s a beautiful story because I know the author, that’s what it is.”
Poirier also knows that it will be tough going without an outlet for his competitive nature, but he’s hoping to find something while staying involved with MMA.
“Nothing’s ever going to fill that void of walking out to a crowd trying to will you to win, and fighting one of the best guys in the world for 25 minutes. I don’t know if anything’s going to feel that way again, but hopefully I can find something. I would love to stay connected to the sport, keep working for ESPN. The sport has given me everything I have in life, and I would to watch and watch other kids chase their dreams and put my two cents in, what I think I learned through two decades of doing this.”
Watch the full UFC 318 post-fight press conference, his final one, with Dustin Poirier above.
