Dustin Poirier has announced plans to come out of retirement less than a year after hanging up his gloves, and it looks like a familiar face could be waiting for him on the other side of the Octagon.
Poirier, who captured interim gold in 2019 but never managed to claim the undisputed belt despite multiple attempts, last fought in July during a Louisiana homecoming. It was there he lost the BMF title to Max Holloway in what turned out to be his final appearance before stepping away.
Over his career, Poirier built several memorable rivalries. He faced Holloway three times and headlined some of the UFC’s biggest cards opposite Conor McGregor. Now he’s looking for another trilogy bout to close an old chapter once and for all.
Dustin Poirier confirms comeback for Justin Gaethje trilogy
After his last title shot ended with a submission loss to Islam Makhachev, it felt like the end of the road was near for Dustin Poirier. His final fight came against Max Holloway at UFC 318, and even though he believed he could still compete, he decided it was time to walk away.
Poirier had been at the top level of MMA for nearly two decades, reaching the peak of the lightweight division three separate times. But there is one rivalry that never quite got closure – his series with Justin Gaethje.
Their first bout back in 2018 was an all-out war, ending in a fourth-round knockout win for ‘The Diamond’. Five years later, Gaethje turned the tables with a head-kick knockout to claim the BMF belt.
With their history now level at one apiece, fans have long hoped to see them run it back one more time. After seeing Gaethje capture interim gold at UFC 324, former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson suggested on social media that a third fight would make sense. Poirier responded simply: “I’ll come back for that one.”
Dustin Poirier trilogy unlikely as title unification fight nears for Justin Gaethje
It is the phrasing that caught people’s attention. It was not just a throwaway comment – more a real signal of intent, not just another hypothetical comeback story.
But with Gaethje now on course for a lightweight title unification clash against Ilia Topuria, that window may be closing quickly. The American said he felt “100 per cent” after his win and talks for the bout are expected to get moving soon.
Topuria is currently away from the sport due to personal reasons, but has told fans he could be back anytime between April and June. With the UFC White House card still searching for a main event, there is growing interest in seeing these two headliners square off at the top of the bill.
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