Dustin Poirier is already considering a return to combat sports, but in the boxing ring.
Poirier has expressed strong interest in facing long-time rival Nate Diaz on a Zuffa Boxing card. Poirier’s MMA career seemingly concluded in his hometown of New Orleans in July, following a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway in their BMF trilogy fight at UFC 318. Despite the retirement, the opportunity to finally settle his feud with Diaz appears to be too tempting.
The rivalry between the two dates back to a scheduled fight at UFC 230, which Poirier claims Diaz “negotiated himself out” of. Diaz has already proving his commercial viability in the boxing world with a majority decision win against Jorge Masvidal last July. A boxing match under the Zuffa banner would allow Poirier to test his hands in a new sport.
Diaz, meanwhile, is the master of attrition. His strategy would be to weaponize his volume, his reach, and his iron chin. Diaz would look to overwhelm Poirier with a non-stop flurry of long, slapping jabs and straight punches, aiming to drag the fight into the later rounds. His experience in his boxing match against Jorge Masvidal proved he can manage the distance in a boxing ring, absorbing power early before increasing his output as his opponent tires. Diaz has previously said he would like to fight Dustin.
“I would like to fight Dustin Poirier. Like now,. Like I’ve been trying to. If there’s any mix-up it’s him, and them, and the game. I want the fight now. What’s up Dana White? Let’s get this retirement fight cracking so I can get out of this fight game. I’m done with it,” Diaz said