Dustin Poirier plans to experience off into the sundown following his upcoming battle in opposition to Max Holloway, which headlines UFC 318 in his residence state of Louisiana.
The previous interim light-weight champion has been teasing his potential retirement for the previous couple of years however now Poirier is able to pull the set off with one final hurrah scheduled in New Orleans on July 19. The cardboard marks the primary UFC pay-per-view card in New Orleans in a decade and UFC CEO Dana White confirmed your entire occasion was deliberate to offer Poirier a correct sendoff for his profession.
“All through the world, Dustin Poirier is an enormous star for us,” White informed WDSU in Louisiana. “He’s achieved rather a lot within the sport. That is for him, to be sincere with you. That is for him. He needed to have his final battle and finish his profession in New Orleans so right here we’re.”
Poirier has pushed for the UFC to return to New Orleans for a number of years together with his final look there taking place again in 2015 when he knocked out Yancy Medeiros at a UFC Combat Evening card.
Whereas Poirier by no means held an undisputed title throughout his UFC profession, White praised him as one of many biggest fighters to ever set foot within the octagon after spending the previous 15 years competing for the promotion between the UFC and WEC.
“Truly, he’s ranked No. 5 on the planet proper now within the light-weight division,” White mentioned about Poirier. “He’s a man who’s held his place within the high 10 within the sport for a really very long time. He’s achieved rather a lot.
“He’s one of many all-time greats. 1000’s of individuals have fought within the UFC, I don’t know the place I might rank him however he’s one of many all-time greats.”
The identical goes for Poirier’s opponent as he prepares to face Holloway for a 3rd time.
Poirier bought the win in each of their earlier encounters with a submission victory in opposition to Holloway when he first debuted within the UFC again in 2012 after which incomes a unanimous choice over the Hawaiian after they met once more with the interim light-weight title on the road in 2019.
Now Holloway appears to be like to avenge these previous losses whereas entering into enemy territory together with his “BMF” title going up for grabs in opposition to Poirier in his residence state.
“Poirier is preventing Max Holloway — one other one of many all-time greats,” White mentioned. “It ought to be a tremendous battle.”
