Poirier willing to box Diaz: ‘It’s a fight I can shine in’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dustin Poirier is willing to do whatever it takes to fight Nate Diaz, even if it means doing it under boxing rules.

Back in 2018, Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz were scheduled to face each other at UFC 230 in New York City. It was supposed to be Diaz’s comeback fight since his rematch with Conor McGregor two years prior.

“The Diamond” ended up pulling out due to injury and the fight was subsequently called off. Poirier, however, still sees it as a golden opportunity to showcase his skills.

“I know it’s a fight I can shine in,” Poirier said in a recent sit-down with MMA Junkie. “I know it’s a fight that at this point of my career where I’d be excited to do that training camp and do those boxing rounds and do those jiu-jitsu rounds.

“That’s a fun opponent to get ready for with my style of fighting, and with the coaches I have around me, I think I can prepare very well for that fight and put on a great performance.”

Poirier is even willing to take the matchup outside of the UFC cage and into the squared ring and fight under boxing rules.

“I’d be willing to box him if they wanted to do that,” he said. “I wish Zuffa Boxing was around and we’d have an opportunity – him and his brother were always talking about crossing over to boxing, I’d love to put the paws on him and show you guys my boxing skills.”

No matter what weight class they compete at, Poirier sees the Diaz fight as one that fans would enjoy.

“I would do it at 170, I would do it at whatever weight they wanted to do it,” he said. “I think that’s a fun fight. I think the fans would like that fight. But we’ll see. That is a fight that I want, but I don’t know what’s next. I don’t even know if that guy will fight again.

“I still respect the guy as a fighter,” Poirier adde.d “I’ve said in a recent interview, and I’ll admit I’m a fan of the guy. Anytime he fights, I’m going to buy the pay-per-view. I’m going to watch him fight. He’s a fighter’s fighter. I like to see the stuff he brings into the octagon. He’s a fun fighter to watch, and those are the kind of guys that I want to fight.”

Both fighters are coming off losses. Diaz, however, remains uncertain about his fighting future at the moment.