Dustin Poirier not set on retirement but ‘leaning towards being done’ after UFC 302 loss

Dustin Poirier isn’t retiring just yet, be he’s leaning that way.

Earlier this month, Poirier challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 302, losing by fifth-round submission. It was Poirier’s third chance at undisputed gold, and at 35 years old, “The Diamond” is far removed from another title shot anytime soon. As such, after the fight Poirier hinted at retirement, and given a few weeks to digest the outcome, the Louisiana native is still thinking that might be it for him.

“I still don’t know,” Poirier said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I can’t say I’ll never fight again, but I just don’t know the reason. What am I going to fight for? To get into a battle? I love that, but I’ve taken some lumps over the years. It has to be for something. And maybe that’s something I’ll realize in the coming weeks, but I’m just taking it one day at a time.

“I’m leaning towards being done. For sure. Especially with getting the title fight, how many more times would I need to fight to put myself back in position to fight for the world title? I don’t know. And like I said, I’m not going to do it again, I’m not going to fight five more times to try and earn another title shot. I’m in a weird spot and I don’t know how to explain it or what decision to make. I’m just taking it day by day and seeing what comes with my mind changing and just to see how I feel.”

Though he ultimately fell short against Makhachev, Poirier still proved he’s one of the best lightweights in the world, giving the champion and top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport all he could handle for nearly five rounds. And as he thinks about that, Poirier says that’s the biggest reason he can’t commit to retiring just yet: Because he knows how good he still is.