Dustin Poirier is preparing for what he anticipates will be his final professional fight at UFC 318, but the scheduled trilogy bout against Max Holloway wasn`t his initial preference.
The future UFC Hall of Famer recently confirmed he is set to headline UFC 318 on July 19th in New Orleans, Louisiana. The fight will be a third meeting with Max Holloway, with Holloway`s BMF belt reportedly on the line. Poirier holds two previous victories over Holloway: one early in Holloway`s career at UFC 143 and another for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236.
While holding deep respect for Holloway, Poirier revealed he had a different trilogy in mind.
“I was asking for Gaethje,” Poirier stated, explaining his conversations with UFC officials. “I asked for Gaethje because we`re 1-1, I wanted to finish that trilogy.” However, the promotion strongly favored the matchup with Holloway. Poirier accepted, noting his respect for Holloway following their last encounter and adding, “I said, `Legends only.` He definitely fits that.”
Poirier and Justin Gaethje are currently tied 1-1 in their series. Poirier won their first fight in April 2018, but Gaethje earned a decisive victory in the rematch at UFC 291 via a powerful head kick knockout. That second fight was for the vacant BMF belt, which Max Holloway later claimed from Gaethje.
Poirier`s request to face only legends seemed to align with former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria recently changing his moniker to “La Leyenda” (“The Legend”). Despite some interest, Poirier says welcoming Topuria to the lightweight division was never seriously considered by the UFC.
“Actually, when he said he was going to `55, I texted Hunter [Campbell], I texted UFC, I said, `Hey, what`s up? Let me know what`s going on with this guy now he`s at `55,” Poirier recounted. “But they never entertained it, they told me it`s not happening, and they wanted Max.”
Even though the opponent wasn`t his first choice, Poirier is excited about potentially adding the BMF belt to his list of accomplishments. He hopes to capture the title for the first time and potentially be the last fighter to ever hold it.
“If I can get my hand on it, be the last BMF champion and ride off into the sunset with the belt and retire, hey, that`s forever,” Poirier commented. “Because I don`t think they would ever do it again unless something crazy happened. That would be dope.”
Regardless of the opponent, Poirier is overjoyed about the location for his final fight: New Orleans, in his home state of Louisiana.
It has been a decade since Poirier last fought close to his native Lafayette. He expressed profound gratitude that the UFC accommodated his wish to have his career conclude where it effectively began.
“This is the dream,” Poirier stated. “This is the plan. I`m the one who reached out to the UFC and said, `Hey, I would love to retire at home.`” To his surprise, they agreed, responding, “OK, we`ll do everything we can to make it happen.” He finds it amazing when a company collaborates in such a way and shows enough respect to put things in motion, especially considering how far in advance their schedule is typically planned. He emphasized the effort involved: “For them to scrap something and bring the cage to Louisiana and set it up for me to retire at home, it`s a dream come true.”
