Dustin Poirier hints at retirement after UFC 302 defeat

Dustin Poirier failed to win the UFC Lightweight Championship for a third time on Saturday night, losing to Islam Makhachev in the fifth round of their UFC 302 main event fight.

Speaking to the media after his loss, the American teased that this may be his last time fighting in the octagon.

“A lot of these guys are fighting for paydays,” Poirier explained.

“I don’t have to do that anymore.

“I’m giving away pieces of myself every time I step in there. No matter how much fun I’m having, I have to be a realist.”

The 35-year-old continued to explain his thinking behind making UFC 302 his final fight.

“Family and my health. My body feels good, but I’ve been getting punched and kicked and kneed in the face for almost 18 years,” Poirier said.

“I want to take care of my brain health.”

What’s next for Dustin Poirier if he retires?

While Poirier has never won the championship in the UFC, he will go down in history as one of the greatest to have graced the octagon — and may yet make the Hall of Fame.

He’s been with the promotion since 2011 and has fought an impressive 30 times. Highlights include a pair of wins over Connor McGregor, along with triumphs against Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway and Dan Hooker.

Should he make this his last fight, there’s plenty more for the veteran on the other side of professional fighting.

“I’m a dad… and a business owner,” he explained.

“I have a lot of hats that I wear. I need all my faculties to be there and continue to go through life as I get older.

“I’m fighting because I love fighting. But I can’t love something so much that it takes away from who I am or my family’s future.”

Outside of his MMA exploits, Poirier runs two businesses — a bourbon company and a hot sauce brand — as well as a charitable foundation.

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