Just six months into retirement, Dustin Poirier has already announced plans to come back and face one of his most iconic rivals once again.
The former UFC star, who captured the interim lightweight title in 2019, has struggled to secure the undisputed belt in three subsequent attempts. Poirier returned to his home state of Louisiana in July and decided to retire after suffering three consecutive losses, including a defeat by Max Holloway for the BMF title.
Throughout his career, Poirier engaged in several memorable rivalries, notably battling Holloway three times and headlining major pay-per-views against Conor McGregor. Now, he’s expressed interest in settling scores with Justin Gaethje by completing their trilogy.
Following a submission loss to Islam Makhachev, Poirier’s future in the octagon seemed limited. Despite still feeling competitive, his recent loss to Holloway at UFC 318 marked the end of an era. After nearly two decades fighting at the sport’s highest level and repeatedly testing the top of the lightweight division, one chapter remains unfinished—a third fight against Gaethje.
Their first encounter in 2018 was an instant classic, with Poirier securing a fourth-round knockout after a thrilling three rounds. Five years later, Gaethje evened the score by earning the BMF belt through a spectacular head kick knockout. After Gaethje recently claimed the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, ex-Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson called for a trilogy match-up. Poirier fueled excitement further by responding on Instagram, “I’ll be back on that one.”
However, a third meeting between Poirier and Gaethje seems uncertain as Gaethje is currently preparing for a lightweight title unification fight against Ilia Topuria later this year. Gaethje confidently affirmed he’s “100 percent” ready, and preparations for this major bout are expected to commence soon. Meanwhile, Topuria is currently taking time off for personal matters but has assured fans she could return between April and June. Given the UFC’s schedule, there might also be interest in pairing two exciting strikers as a main event if the opportunity arises.
Fan Take: This announcement reignites one of the UFC’s most thrilling potential trilogies, promising a spectacular showdown that fans have long awaited. Poirier’s comeback could not only close a memorable rivalry but also elevate the lightweight division’s excitement, impacting matchups and championship narratives in the near future.
