Dustin Poirier struggles to think of life outside fighting as 19-year career nears end

UFC ligtweight veteran Dustin Poirier goes into the foray one last time against Max Holloway, UFC 318, July 19th, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

Dustin Poirier struggles to think of life outside fighting as 19-year career nears end

Dustin Poirier contemplates life beyond fighting, post UFC 318 (Source: IMAGO)

Dustin Poirier has been involved in some of the most memorable fights in the history of the UFC throughout his illustrious tenure. He’ll now have his last dance against Max Holloway, at the UFC 318 PPV event headliner, July 19th, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

The UFC 155-pound veteran has had memorable runs against Holloway, Dan Hooker, Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, and so many more. Dustin Poirier’s grit has produced memorable results even against prime enemies like Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. In his own words, ‘Diamond’ has done it for the longest time. Poirier has thought that the absence of it, and a final run, is going to hit hard once he’s done with UFC 318 and Max Holloway.

This is gonna be a huge test for me…I think after the fight everything is gonna really hit me and nothing is gonna fill that void. I’ve done it for longer than I haven’t and I’ve been fighting since I was 17 years old…

Dustin Poirier on the “Pat McAfee Show”

The former interim lightweight recently announced the New Orleans Saints’ pick No. 184 for NFL Network Stage. Before that, Poirier dropped his fight news on the “Pat McAfee Show” from the NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisc.

The Louisiana lightweight, scouting for ‘legends’ only fights, was blindsided by the sudden Holloway option. However, he felt delighted at the legendary name. The duo has history, and both share a similar warrior-esque mentality to leave it all in the ring.

Case in point, the gritty Hawaiian boxer provided one of the most iconic buzzer-beater KOs, in one of the most iconic cards of the decade, last April. Which is Poirier has even decided to duke it out with him in a pure knucklehead manner for a last war. After UFC 318, though, he thinks the lack of a barnburner grind or fight camp is going to hit him that much harder. Consequently, for now, the numbers and odds favor his chances.

Max Holloway early favorite over Dustin Poirier, but ‘Diamond’ fans flip odds on the moneyline

Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier and ex-featherweight name Max Holloway will have an illustrious trilogy. Their UFC 318 PPV main event has been creating quite the buzz for a while. It has also split the moneyline accordingly.

Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway odds are out for last dance
Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway odds are out for last dance (Source: X)

Poirier propped as the slight underdog for his “Big Easy” homestate connection and swan song appearance. He came in at a regular +110 against the -130 for Holloway. However, in the days after the BMF bout became official, interest arose. Poirier has since clocked in at -120 favorite opposite +100 for Blessed.

Dustin Poirier, 36, and 36-9, 1 NC in UFC stats, had one last failed PPV title bid in June. He went up in an all-around gritty war against Islam Makhachev, which left scars on both. He lost the matter via round-five submission. Before that, he won against Berserker Benoit Saint-Denis in Miami last March.

Holloway lost to the previous 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria via KO, after winning the BMF silver. Since then, he has made lightweight his more permanent home. Blessed, who turned 33 back in December, will log his first return to lightweight again against Poirier.

This loss, and the nostalgia of Poirier’s last fight, is what could have tipped the props in his favor. Now with mileage and nostalgia, the challenger means to tread ahead and snag a silver on his way out.

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