Dustin Poirier received an outpouring of messages following his last fight at UFC 318.
The former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion made his final walk to the Octagon on Saturday night in front of his home crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Despite many festivities, Poirier’s retirement fight would ultimately be spoiled by opponent, BMF Champion Max Holloway, who was previously 0-2 against Poirier.
Holloway avoided a three-peat against Poirier, finally getting his revenge on ‘The Diamond’ by defeating him in a hard-fought unanimous decision.
Many fighters have paid their respects to Poirier after UFC 318, including one of his greatest foes: Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev says Dustin Poirier is ‘one of the greatest’ fighters of all time
In his coveted career, Poirier unfortunately went 0-3 in undisputed title fights.
One of those losses came to then lightweight champion Makhachev, who submitted Poirier in the final round of their title fight at UFC 302 last summer.
Poirier drew blood from Makhachev and earned the champion’s respect through five rounds.
Makhachev sent Poirier a message following his retirement loss to Holloway.
“Congratulations, Dustin,” Makhachev wrote on X.
“You’re truly one of the greatest to ever step into the cage.
“It was an honor and a privilege to share it with you,” Makhachev told Poirier.
Dustin Poirier will likely be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame in a few years
Poirier didn’t get his hand raised in his final fight, but that doesn’t erase the legacy he left in the Octagon.
Poirier won the interim lightweight championship in 2019, snapping Max Holloway’s legendary 13-fight win streak in the process.
Poirier became the first man to knock out Conor McGregor in 2021 and won their series later that year 2-1 with a leg break in their trilogy fight.
Poirier retires with a 22-9 record in the UFC and a 30-10 record in MMA.
Following his retirement fight, UFC CEO Dana White was asked if we could see ‘The Diamond’ in the UFC Hall of Fame.
“Yeah, could be,” White said at the UFC 318 post-fight press conference.