While uncertain about his next move, Dustin Poirier has his sights set on facing Nate Diaz in his future endeavors.
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While uncertain about his next move, Dustin Poirier has his sights set on facing Nate Diaz in his future endeavors. At UFC 291, Poirier experienced a harsh defeat in his rematch against Justin Gaethje, suffering a brutal second-round head kick knockout.
The loss has been a challenging pill to swallow for the former interim lightweight champion, leaving him questioning what lies ahead in his career. Even Poirier himself is unsure about the path he will take next.
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Speaking on The MMA Hour, Poirier expressed his confidence in his abilities and his belief that he can still compete with the best fighters in the sport. He revealed that his feelings toward mixed martial arts are a mix of love and hate. While he still loves the sport that has given him everything, it has also required immense sacrifices.
He acknowledged the selfishness and focus required to perform at the highest level, which often leads to missing important moments in life, like birthdays. Despite the challenges, Poirier recognizes that MMA has shaped his life in many ways, and he is grateful for the opportunities it has provided.
“I still feel great and I can compete with all these guys,” Poirier said on The MMA Hour. “I still love the sport, and I hate it too, so I just deal with it. Every day is different. It’s like a roller-coaster of emotions. I love it and I hate it. It’s given me everything that I have, but it’s also taken away so much time. I have to be so selfish in what I do. I miss so many birthdays. And I’m not complaining, because it’s given me everything that I have, but to be at the highest level, for me anyway, I have to be so selfish and so focused and lock myself away, so I miss a lot of time.
Considering the current circumstances, Poirier finds limited suitable opponents at the lightweight division (155 pounds). Some fans have suggested that he follow in the footsteps of fighters like Rafael dos Anjos and Gilbert Burns, who moved up to the welterweight division. However, Poirier dismisses the idea, stating that transitioning to welterweight isn’t a viable option for him.
Rather than considering a move to welterweight, Poirier is more likely to take some time off while waiting for a suitable fight opportunity. One potential opponent that has emerged on the radar is Nate Diaz, the only other fighter who faced defeat in a BMF title bout.
Poirier and Diaz share a past, and there was even a scheduled fight between them that never came to fruition. Diaz is presently preparing to box Jake Paul, a former Disney Channel star, on August 5 in Dallas. Poirier doesn’t seem too confident in Diaz’s chances in that upcoming boxing match.
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