Dustin Poirier Receives Advice to Check Emotions Before UFC 318 Retirement Fight from Mike Tyson’s Coach

UFC 318 isn't a make-or-break situation. But can lightweight Dustin Poirier punctuate another seamless 'war' and go out on a high note, a last time?

Dustin Poirier Receives Advice to Check Emotions Before UFC 318 Retirement Fight from Mike Tyson’s Coach

Dustin Poirier told to contain his emotions for UFC 318 retirement fight (Source: X)

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Dustin Poirier has been a bona fide legend in the fighting game. When all is said and done, the former UFC interim lightweight champion will undoubtedly go down as an all-time great in the 155-pound division. This week, though, he makes his 32nd Octagon appearance at the UFC 318 PPV headliner as part of his ‘Last Dance.’

Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight comes in the form of BMF champ Max Holloway. UFC 318 is an emotional time for ‘The Diamond,’ who shed some tears reading fan letters during ESPN MMA’s backstage check-in with Brett Okamoto. Boxing coach of Mike Tyson, Teddy Atlas, wants him to reel in and keep his emotions in check one last time.

That’s something that is very difficult to really digest, but it’s the only thing you can tell them, …For now, it’s just gotta be another fight…You’ve done this now 50 times; We know it’s the last one. [And] We understand the emotions that are gonna be involved. But it’s something you’ve done 50 times and [done it] well…You’ve done it great. Go do it great again. Don’t bring in the last fight too much into it, [fighting] at home, and all the emotions, all that…

Teddy Atlas said on First Take| PREVIEWING Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway BMF title clash

Atlas, a go-to boxing luminary, has harbored a profound admiration for Dustin Poirier’s prowess for an extended period. Watching him knock out Conor McGregor in 2021, to walk through a front row of top-ranked contenders for a straight decade, the Louisiana fighter has done it all. However, the overwhelming sentiment that it’ll end is hard to deny.

Atlas was joined by Ryan Clark, who previewed the geographical factor and the effort behind making Poirier’s retirement fight. Clark’s former ESPN MMA co-host on the “DC & RC” Show, Daniel Cormier, was also recently pent-up about it, emotionally.

But Atlas presented not to let emotions be part of it from the ground up. Poirier recently told that he’s ‘shredded out’ of his mind, and had one of the easiest cuts at the weight limit. Things are aligning a good way. If Holloway defends his BMF title, there are thoughts on where he goes from here and who’s his next defense.

But if Poirier wins, he can retire with the BMF tag forever. The legacy-setting scenario is all but a day away. While the fight clique has diverted attention to Poirier’s final fight, a top UFC contender has all but predicted him to win and take away the BMF gimmick away.

Welterweight contender thinks BMF needs to be ‘retired’ with Dustin Poirier at UFC 318

The symbolic belt will be on the line for the fourth time this Saturday at the PPV top order at the Smoothie King Center main card. This is almost six years in the making after pioneer gangsters Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz’s inaugural BMF showdown in 2019.

Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway could end BMF gimmick at UFC 318
Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway could end BMF gimmick at UFC 318 (Source: X)

The title was resurrected again in 2023 and had better sauce behind the scraps. The current title holder, Max Holloway, will be the second to try to keep hold of his title after he beat Justin Gaethje’s attempt at the milestone UFC 300 PPV event last year.

To accomplish this, ‘Blessed’ must spoil Dustin Poirier’s swan song at UFC 318. Meanwhile, Poirier can retire with the BMF if he unseats Holloway and ends this once and for all. One UFC rising star wants Poirier to retire and forever take away the BMF belt with him.

To be honest with you, I like that this fight is happening, ….[And] more than likely [he; Poirier] is gonna win again, and it’s gonna end this whole BMF thing and title…Sure…The BMF thing needs to retire with Dustin Poirier. … I think the BMF title, it needs to end. And I think it’s gonna end with Dustin Poirier. This is a good ending [to BMF]…THE only way it goes.

Joaquin Buckley said on his Brick Brothers Podcast

Ever since its creation, fans are pundits are split on the value of BMF adding to the undisputed status or contending for it. Even top names are siding with the side of the argument where they find it, with very little gravitas. Hence, come this weekend, the fate of the BMF title is also on the line.

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