Dustin Poirier provides UFC comeback update after being told to retire by Khabib Nurmagomedov: 'We are close'
12/18/2024 10:55 AM
Dustin Poirier is edging closer to announcing his retirement fight.
'The Diamond' hasn't fought since falling to a fifth-round submission loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June, which fans feared would be the last time they got to see him in the Octagon.
Dustin Poirier initially teased retirement before confirming he would return for one final bout.
Now the former interim titleholder has provided an update about his fight negotiations.
Dustin Poirier teases imminent fight news
Poirier recently sat down with UFC legends Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen to discuss the KO of the Year, which he gave to Max Holloway for sleeping Justin Gaethje in April.
Just before they concluded the conversation, 'DC' set Porier up to talk about his 2025 comeback fight, but the Lafayette, Louisiana native stopped short of making an official announcement.
“You've got your eyes set on getting back into that Octagon," Cormier said.
Poirier replied: "I do. Me and the UFC are close on making it happen.
"Hopefully, I'll have some news for you guys soon."
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants his old rivals to retire
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired at the top of his game when he was just 32 years old.
The 29-0 Russian phenom shocked the world when he walked away from fighting after choking out Justin Gaethje in the second round of their lightweight unification bout at UFC 254 in July 2020.
Four years later, he's sick of watching his old rivals suffer MMA defeats.
Nurmagomedov recently called for Poirier and Tony Ferguson to retire.
"I think Poirier can beat Charles [Oliveira], and then Poirier has to stop fighting, he's finished," he said during an interview with former dual-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo.
"Justin Gaethje, Khabib, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson. This is old school, brother. Stop fighting. We have to recognize the real things."
