The Diamond Hangs Up the Gloves: Dustin Poirier Retires from the Octagon
New Orleans – One of the most iconic rivalries in mixed martial arts (MMA) history will come to an end this Saturday, when Dustin Poirier makes his final walk to the UFC octagon. The event, which will pit him against Max Holloway at UFC 318 (10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV), will mark the close of a legendary chapter. Poirier, currently ranked number 5 in the lightweight category according to Alofoke Deportes rankings, has made the decision to retire to preserve his long-term health, despite the concerns that the idea of a life without fighting generates in him. “I’ve been fighting all my life, but I think it’s a good time to retire,” Poirier declared. “It’s terrifying. I really don’t know what life will be like without this. I’ll have to live it to talk about it.” With victories over Holloway (twice), Conor McGregor (twice), Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Dan Hooker, Poirier solidifies himself as one of the best MMA fighters who have never conquered UFC gold, and it is very likely that he will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the future. Poirier’s career has been significant for him and his family, but also for his loved ones and a multitude of fans around the world. “I hope [my career] has made someone realize that, no matter where you are or what is presented to you, if you pursue your dreams, commit to something and stay dedicated, you can achieve miracles,” Poirier expressed. On the eve of UFC 318, Alofoke Deportes presents letters written by Poirier’s family, friends, and team members, in which they describe their emotions before his last fight and what his career has meant to them. It is clear that Poirier has managed to inspire others throughout his 16-year career.Great D! Congratulations on your UFC career. It has been a blessing to witness your battles over the years. Some of my favorites were your victory against Holloway in Atlanta at UFC 236, when Dana White put the belt on you; the fight with Dan Hooker in 2020; and the knockout of Benoît Saint Denis at UFC 299. I watched it from Australia. The whole bar went crazy. It was magical. It has also been a gift when you didn’t achieve victory: seeing you navigate those moments, taking the right path in disputes, being patient, being honest with yourself and trying to share as much as possible of the low moments with fans and friends. For letting us cry those moments with you, thank you, friend.You readjust. You re-calibrate. You believe in yourself again.
Theo Von, comedian and friend
Seeing you fight for yourself and your wars has inspired me a lot over the years. And I know I’m not the only one. There are times when I want to give up and I don’t, and it’s because you didn’t give up. You never gave up. You readjust. You re-calibrate. You believe in yourself again. And you walk back into the fire of life. And because you do that, it helps us do it.
So, on behalf of your fans (if they allow it) and the state of Louisiana (if they allow it), I want to say thank you. Thank you for letting us be a part of everything. I couldn’t feel luckier to know a human being as unique as you. You are an inspiration to me and to many. Thank you for sharing everything you could with us. You are a great fighter, but you are also REALLY COOL, Dustin Poirier. God bless “The Diamond”. Excited to see what he shines in next. With all the love, Theo Von and everyone Comedian and friendDP, Knowing that this is your last fight is bittersweet. In many ways, I am sad for selfish reasons. It’s sad because I know I won’t see you as much, knowing that you live in Louisiana and usually only come to Florida for camp. On the bright side, you offered to fly back and help anyone who needs help, which is the kind of teammate you’ve always been. You’re always willing to fly to Florida and join a camp for whoever might be fighting a southpaw, and you’ve always done it with your own money. It’s sad to see you go, but I’m glad you’re going to transition to a much safer and healthier lifestyle.You told me you would always be true to yourself
Mike Brown, coach
What I am most proud of is that you told me you would always be true to yourself, and that is exactly what you did. You said, “If I have to win a couple of extra fights to get a title shot, that’s fine with me.” I think that at the time you first fought for the interim belt, you had the second-longest path there, just behind Michael Bisping. You never played a character, acted fake, or wore a funny hat to get attention. You simply trained hard, showed up, and fought with all your heart. And that gave us some of the best fights in the history of our sport.
What I will miss the most is the camaraderie, the fight trips, all the guys together. Sometimes fight trips are stressful and a lot of work, but yours were relaxed, chill, a lot of fun. Renting houses in the last few years and keeping all the coaches and training partners together, it’s been a blast every time, with entertainment usually attached to something like ping-pong or another game where we can bet. The memory that stands out the most is from a while ago, when gym culture was very different. In those times when we used 16-ounce gloves and a helmet and sparred at 100 percent. The sport has evolved and we don’t do that anymore, but you crushed your sparring partners during that time. You’ve always had that natural power, and even with 16-ounce gloves and a helmet, you were knocking guys out.We ran out of sparring partners and I called my old friend Mark DellaGrotte from Boston and told him we needed a partner for “The Diamond”. And then, unfortunately, you knocked him out in the first sparring session. I felt so bad and apologized. I thought no one would help us again because of that. You weren’t being malicious, you just landed that clean shot. They understood in the end, but the moral of the story was that everyone knew Dustin can hit.
Mike Brown
Head coach of American Top TeamMy man, What a journey! Fifteen years flew by while we all witnessed your greatness and the true character of a fighter! Your successful career couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person! You are everyone’s hero, and the sport was lucky to have you. I will miss seeing you fulfill your destiny. When we met, you only had a vision and confidence in yourself, which was always unsurpassed. Through that self-confidence and countless hours of work and discipline, you earned your ticket to stardom. I’m not sure there will ever be another Diamond, and I’m grateful to have had a front-row seat to your greatness all these years. The victory of UFC 257: Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 2 in Abu Dhabi was quite impressive! The pressure leading up to that fight was intense, and there was a lot at stake behind the scenes! The mental mountain you climbed to get that victory and overcome the defeat in McGregor’s first fight was nothing short of legendary. The taste of getting it back was an unforgettable moment. I will always cherish that memory. I am very proud of the husband, father, and person you are today. I love you, brother, and I wish you even more success in the next chapter. Robert Roveta Long-time managerI am grateful to have had a front-row seat to your greatness
Robert Roveta, manager
What’s up, D. Money? I want to thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey as a fighter and through life. Knowing that this is your last fight is a bit heartbreaking, because I always look forward to seeing my dog shine in the cage. You shine more every time you go in there, and that inspires me. Selfishly, I will definitely miss it. But as a true friend, I understand why you’re leaving and I’m proud that you’ve made that decision. Seeing you since you started as a child has been one of the most motivating things I’ve seen. Seeing the underdog reach the top, from the slums.You helped me with things like that
Thomas Webb, friend
I remember one day, I lost a fight, and you said: “Man, I don’t see how you can be so happy after a defeat. It’s great to see that”, and honestly, man, the reason I could do it is because I had seen you do it. I’m proud of you for always keeping your head up. You helped me with things like that. I’m proud to see you get up and strive and reach the top again and again, brother.
My favorite memory of your career is the time you invited me to Milwaukee for UFC 164, and we were standing in the tunnel before the fight and people were booing because we were in your opponent’s hometown, Erik Koch. Looking at all those booing people and knowing that you were about to shut them all up, that was surreal for me. So I thank you for that memory, along with all the others.
Yes, I’m going to miss you, the fighter. I’m still going to see you, but I’m going to miss the fighter. Much love. Always your brother, Thomas Webb (also known as T. Webb) Long-time friendDustin, Knowing this is your last fight is a double-edged sword. I’m glad to see you hang up your gloves after competing for so long and focus on being a husband, father, and things outside the octagon. But I’m sad because you are one of the most entertaining fighters of all time. I am most proud of the way you always behaved like a champion, inside and outside the cage, and you were always true to yourself. You are an inspiration and a great role model for children. I am also proud of you for kicking McGregor’s ass… twice. I will miss your violent fighting style. You don’t shy away from a good fight. There’s a reason you have all those fight night bonuses. When people tune in to watch you fight, they know exactly what they’re going to see: someone who lives by the sword and dies by the sword. I have a lot of favorite memories with you. Some must remain in the circle, of course, but there was a moment during COVID when we had to stay in our rooms and we never did. I was caught outside the room playing and they canceled my fight, until my manager had a Zoom meeting and saved it. Once it was saved, I played a prank on you and the coaches and said it was still canceled. That will always be one of my favorites. Sabah Homasi American Top Team teammateYou always behaved like a champion, inside and outside the cage
Sabah Homasi, teammate
I have learned a lot from you
Tim Metcalf, friend
Tim Metcalf
Long-time friendDustin,I have always admired how you behave
Jimmy Poirier, older brother
The most important thing we want you to know is how proud we are of you, the person. You have done so much for people who are in lower positions in more ways than you will ever know. When I talk to people and they find out that you are my brother, the first words that come out of their mouths are about the person and the character you are. I have come to believe that most fighters really care more if people believe they are good people and if they make a difference in what they have done. I want you to know that I hear about you over and over again: what a good citizen you are to this community and family.
You were and are the constant competitor. You were 100 percent heart and soul, give it your all. Without looking back, without regrets. I remember when you lost the first fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 178 in Las Vegas, and I asked you: “Did you think this was going to be easy?” Nothing you have done or achieved has been easy. It’s like you always say, everything you’ve done has been paid in full. It has never been easy or by the book. I want to tell you one more thing. After you lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, I remember asking you: “How did you come up with the phrases you used and speak so eloquently?” You have always spoken with great composure in victories and defeats. And I know the emotions of a loss. I see it as soon as we leave the ring. But the way you present yourself has always said: “I have an education.” You have intelligence. And that intelligence goes far beyond anything that an education gives you. I have always admired how you behave, and I know you will be great in the next chapter. Jimmy PoirierOlder brother
