Dustin Poirier Isn’t Done Yet: UFC Legend Names Three Fights That Could Bring Him Back

When Dustin Poirier left his gloves in the Octagon following his farewell fight against Max Holloway, it felt like the end of an era. After more than a decade competing at the highest level, "The Diamond" appeared content with his decision to walk away from the sport. 

Retirement, as countless fighters have discovered before him, isn't always as straightforward as it seems. Although Poirier insists he's enjoying life outside the cage, the competitive fire clearly hasn't gone out. In a recent interview, the former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion admitted there are still a handful of matchups compelling enough to tempt him back for one more run.

Dustin Poirier Names Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Justin Gaethje as Potential Comeback Fights

Despite the very recent airport snafu and months off from fight camp, "The Diamond" recently dropped a major revelation about his return to the UFC. 

Speaking candidly on 1on1 about the possibility of returning, the Louisiana native revealed that he's still under contract with the promotion, leaving the door open if the right opportunity presents itself - "I'm still under contract with the UFC. There's definitely a chance. If it's the right fight I'll come back for sure."

Asked what exactly qualifies as the "right fight," the 37-year-old didn't hesitate to name three familiar opponents. At the top of the list was Conor McGregor, a rivalry that has produced some of the biggest moments of both men's careers.

After dropping their first meeting in 2014, Poirier evened the score with back-to-back victories in 2021, including the trilogy bout that ended with McGregor suffering a broken leg.

Dustin Poirier Willing to Trade Strikes with McGregor to Risk Series Lead, Fight Diaz for First Time

Despite already holding a 2-1 edge in the series, Poirier suggested he'd gladly share the Octagon with the Irish superstar again if the UFC came calling, saying, "I'd probably fight Conor if that came about."

Another matchup that still intrigues him is Nate Diaz. Although both fighters spent years competing near the top of the lightweight division, they never crossed paths inside the Octagon despite persistent fan interest. Reflecting on that, Poirier admitted that the missed opportunity continues to bother him.

"Nate Diaz, I want to whoop his a** for years and years and years, but I never got the fight."

Dustin Poirier on Another Fight with Justin Gaethje

The third option was Justin Gaethje, another rival with whom Poirier fought. The pair have split two unforgettable contests, with Poirier winning their first meeting in 2018 before Gaethje got his revenge five years later with a devastating BMF title knockout.

For Poirier, the rivalry still feels incomplete - "I'd come back for that. There's a few I'd come back for, me and Gaethje are 1-1, that needs closure too."

Why UFC Comeback Could Come at Right Time for Poirier

Poirier's latest comments don't come in isolation. Over the past months, the former interim lightweight champion has been unusually candid about the challenges he's faced since retiring.

Last month, Poirier made headlines after he was arrested for public intoxication at an airport in Georgia. Rather than deflecting responsibility, he accepted full accountability, later admitting that alcohol and the emotional weight of Father's Day, compounded by his complicated relationship with his father, led to one of the lowest moments of his life.

He also revealed that the incident cost him sponsors and professional opportunities, while publicly apologizing to the airport staff and police officers involved. At the same time, Poirier has admitted that retirement hasn't always felt as fulfilling as he expected.

In a separate interview last year he acknowledged that while some mornings he's grateful to be home with his family, there are others when he wakes up convinced he can still compete with the best lightweights in the world.

Dustin Poirier Taking Stock of Current State

Those two admissions paint a clearer picture of where Poirier is mentally today. Retirement has given him more time with his family, but it has also left him searching for the competitive purpose that defined much of his adult life.

Whether a return ultimately happens remains to be seen. If the UFC can offer one of the matchups that still excites him, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Louisiana slugger decide that his fighting story isn't over just yet.