Dustin Poirier is one of the most well-respected athletes ever in the UFC. Even on days when he has beaten someone’s favorite fighter, no one hates The Diamond. He is one of the most battle-tested fighters in the promotion and likes to wear his heart on his sleeve. Poirier is a straight shooter; he speaks his mind and doesn’t get into anything unnecessary.
Although his UFC record is 30-9, no one can deny that Poirier has one of the most stacked resumes of all time. He has fought fighters in their prime. He is a former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion, but is more revered than several champions.
So, what makes Poirier so special? Well, other than the fact that he is one of the all-time greats of the sport, Poirier sets the right standards for people who follow him religiously. The Diamond knows, understands, and often speaks on how there’s more to life than just being a fighter. Above all, he is a father and a husband.
During a campaign for Samsung, he said, “I get into the zone by knowing my ‘Why?’ I’m fighting for something bigger, I’m fighting for my family, their future…My family is my anchor.” Poirier admitted that before he became a father, fighting was all he had in life, or at least he thought so. However, the birth of his daughter, Parker Noelle Poirier, gave him a new perspective on life.
He said, “When I was a young fighter, before I had a daughter, I used to burn myself out. Fighting was everything. It still is everything to me, but it’s just something that I do.” Poirier is a leader, and his words, backed by his actions, prove it.
Dustin Poirier reveals why he wants to retire
The fight game is a very tricky business. Just like any other sport, the career span of an athlete is very short. However, unlike any other sport, fighters take a lot of beating during games, training, and sparring sessions for years. While most get caught in the greed of fame once they gain relevancy, Poirier is a different man.
During a conversation with NBC News in 2024, he revealed why he wishes to retire soon.
Poirier said, “A lot of these guys are fighting for paydays. I don’t have to do that anymore. I’m fighting because I love fighting. But I can’t love something so much that it takes away from who I am or my family’s future.” The UFC veteran wants to preserve his health, his brain for some much-deserved family time in the second chapter of his life.
“At 35 years old, how much better physically am I going to get? At some point, it starts to decline. And I’m not going to be one of those guys hanging on for paydays to try to stay in the spotlight. I don’t want the sport to retire me; I’m going to retire from the sport and do it on my terms. I did it my way, like Frank Sinatra,” he added.
He has no interest in sticking around for longer than he should. As of now, he is preparing for his one last fight. After that, we won’t see The Diamond inside the octagon ever again.
Prateek is a seasoned content writer with over 2500 published articles and two+ years of experience. His passion for UFC was ignited during Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise, and closely following McGregor’s journey inspired him to bring a sharp, fan-driven perspective to his UFC coverage, blending detailed analysis with compelling storytelling.
