Did Dustin Poirier Retire?

Dustin Glenn Poirier was born on January 19, 1989, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Of Cajun heritage, Poirier attended Northside High School but dropped out in the ninth grade due to repeatedly getting into trouble and street fights.

Poirier turned professional in 2009 and quickly made a name for himself in regional promotions before joining the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2010. When WEC merged with the UFC in late 2010, Poirier transitioned to the UFC where he would spend the majority of his career.

Known for his exciting fighting style and heart, Poirier earned nine Fight of the Night bonuses throughout his career. He initially competed as a featherweight before moving up to the lightweight division in 2015, where he found his greatest success.

In April 2019, Poirier defeated Max Holloway to win the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship. Though he failed in his attempts to win the undisputed title against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev, Poirier remained one of the most respected fighters in the division.

Outside the octagon, Poirier founded The Good Fight Foundation, a charity that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various causes. His charitable work earned him the UFC's Forrest Griffin Community Award in 2020.

Poirier retired from MMA following his trilogy bout with Max Holloway at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, in his home state of Louisiana, ending his career with a record of 30-10 (1 NC).

Retirement

Dustin Poirier retired after his trilogy bout with Max Holloway at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025. The fight, which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, was billed as Poirier's retirement bout regardless of the outcome. After losing by unanimous decision, Poirier officially announced his retirement in the octagon, ending a 16-year professional career.