Dustin Poirier is set to make the walk for one last dance in several weeks time.
UFC 318 sees the Octagon make its long-awaited return to Louisiana where, for the majority of fans, it’s all about the main event in which ‘The Diamond’ will compete for the last time.
The BMF title and other accolades may be on the line for Poirier when he takes on Max Holloway for the third time but he’s made it clear that this is the curtain call.
Dana White and the UFC pulled this event together for Poirier, who has become one of the beloved fighters on the roster in recent years.
Ahead of July 19, a former rival of the retiring legend expressed one cause for concern that he has when looking at this matchup.
Eddie Alvarez raises concerns over Dustin Poirier announcing that UFC 318 will be his retirement fight
In several ways, Max Holloway is the perfect final opponent for Dustin Poirier to face.
Not only is ‘Blessed’ a fellow legend of the sport, the two men are known for putting on incredible fights with their second meeting at UFC 236 providing an instant classic.
However, Eddie Alvarez has some worries ahead of this fight, and they’re not due to the man that will stand across the Octagon from Poirier.
Alvarez shared the cage with ‘The Diamond’ on two occasions, first in 2017 where their fight ended in a no contest before they met in a heated rematch the following year where Poirier came out on top.
In an interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, the former UFC lightweight champion said that he’s never optimistic about fighters announcing that they’re retiring before they make the walk.
He stated that even athletes who continue to push themselves in the gym may suffer from not being all in like their opponents will be.
“If you are saying, ‘I’m done’, right? Then you’re already done. There’s this small little thing in your mind where you’re checked out. Even if you trained really hard and you put your best camp in and all of that. This is a sport where you have to be all in mentally, physically, emotionally. I never like when guys pre-commit to being finished and then still fight their last fight. Over time, as I watched that happen, the guy I watch, could be like 70-80% of the time that guy doesn’t win.”
Eddie Alvarez has other priorities outside of fighting right now but doesn’t rule out BKFC return
After departing the UFC in 2018 following his rematch with Dustin Poirier, Eddie Alvarez fought several times in ONE Championship from 2019-2021.
While he hasn’t competed in MMA since, the former UFC lightweight champion did make the move over to bare knuckle where he has fought three times for BKFC.
His last appearance was in January earlier this year where he was stopped by Jeremy Stephens.
Alvarez told Mike Bohn that while he’s currently preoccupied with ventures outside of fighting, he still loves BKFC and won’t rule out a return.
“I’m kind of open to whatever… You never know. They call me, who knows what’s going to go on but for right now, I’m having a good time with the gym.”