Dustin Poirier has made it clear he’s not coming out of retirement from mixed martial arts. However, he’s open to stepping into a boxing ring if it means squaring off against Nate Diaz.
Poirier, 36, wrapped up his UFC career in July, where he fought Max Holloway in his home state of Louisiana. Despite his retirement, he stirred up excitement on social media recently. “Zuffa Boxing, [12 rounds], me and Nathaniel, I’d do it,” he posted on X. “Only [one] more fight I’d take.”
The history between Poirier and Diaz goes back to 2018, when they were set to fight in New York. The match fell through, and both fighters blame each other. Poirier says Diaz’s drawn-out talks with the UFC led to the cancellation, while Diaz claims Poirier backed out due to hip injuries. Diaz even stated he felt he held a victory over Poirier because of those injuries.
Diaz, now 40, left the UFC in 2022 to find new opportunities. He made his boxing debut against Jake Paul in 2023 but lost by unanimous decision. However, he bounced back, defeating former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match in July 2024. Diaz has hinted at a possible return to the UFC, but he hasn’t yet reacted to Poirier’s challenge.
Poirier reflected, “I’m retired, I’m done, but Nate is one that got away.”
On another note, Zuffa Boxing, led by UFC CEO Dana White, recently announced a broadcasting deal with Paramount+ and CBS. This new venture is expected to shake up the boxing landscape, especially with names like Poirier and Diaz involved.
According to a recent survey by the Action Network, combat sports are gaining popularity. Over 30% of Americans claim to be interested in boxing, a trend that might make Poirier and Diaz’s potential fight even more appealing.
This brewing rivalry, combined with the growing interest in boxing, could make for an exciting showdown that fans are eager to see. The dynamics between these two fighters add an extra layer of intrigue, making the idea of a boxing match even more enticing.
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