'Once more into the fray': Dustin Poirier says he will return for one more UFC fight

Dustin Poirier appears to have decided his fighting future.

“The Diamond” has been a professional fighter since 2009, and he knows his final days are ahead. Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is coming off what he believed would be his final shot at claiming the undisputed UFC lightweight title at UFC 302.

After coming up short against Islam Makhachev in MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Month for June, Poirier said he would take some time with family to evaluate if he would fight again or retire.

At the beginning of August, Poirier told MMA Junkie he would take 30 days to decide his next step. Friday, Poirier posted on social media that he will return for one more fight, quoting Liam Neeson in “The Grey.”

“I will,” Poirier wrote in response to a fan saying they needed to see him make one more talk to the cage. “Once more into the fray, into the last good fight I’ll ever know. Live and die on this day, live and die on this day.”

I will.

Once more into the fray, into the last good fight I’ll ever know. Live and die on this day, live and die on this day https://t.co/N9H3j2OR5p

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 6, 2024

Before and after his most recent bouts, Poirier, 35, has stated he must have a good reason to continue fighting. His last appearance was clear, with UFC gold on the line. It was an important goal, as he claimed interim gold in 2019 by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 236, but couldn’t reach undisputed status.

Poirier has traded wins and losses over his past five fights, all against the elite of the UFC’s lightweight division. His last string of consecutive victories came in 2020-21, when he defeated Dan Hooker and Conor McGregor in their second and third meeting.