UFC 318 was supposed to be Dustin Poirier‘s career finale, a homecoming for ‘The Diamond’ in Louisiana against Max Holloway for the BMF championship. Fans roared, cameras flashed, and the Octagon was alive with energy. But when the final horn sounded, the cheers for ‘The Diamond’ faded in a way that no fight could ever replicate. Retirement, which had long been on his mind, suddenly became a reality, and a quieter, more uncertain life awaited him beyond the cage.

Since stepping away, Dustin Poirier has been navigating his difficult transition from top athlete to everyday life. Away from the roar of the crowd and the daily routine of the gym, he has embraced family time with his wife, Jolie, and daughter, Parker Noelle, as well as preparations for the birth of their boy later this year.

His calendar is packed with public appearances and media duties to fill his schedule, yet fans have noticed that the energy he once poured into the Octagon is now channeled in unexpected ways. Even in these quieter moments, ‘The Diamond’ has revealed the emotional toll of retirement. When asked on X how much he misses MMA, he made a confession that’s enough to make a grown man cry.

‘The Diamond’ wrote, “Every day, the moment my eyes open, I’ve done it for two decades, dedicated my life to it…. A part of me has died.” Those words indicate the inner struggle of a fighter who remains bound to the life that defined him, a life that now exists only in memories and routines.

Post-retirement, he dedicates his time and efforts to mentoring and supporting low-income families through the Good Fight Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife in 2018. Even without the Octagon as his stage, he can maintain a sense of purpose and impact through back-to-school campaigns, backpack giveaways, and community projects. The work fills some of the vacuum left by fighting, but it cannot fully replace the intensity of those two decades at the top of the game.

The conflict between the past and the present continues to characterize Dustin Poirier’s life. Back in early August, he told local news station KLFY.com: “The retirement thing comes in waves. One day I’ll be fine with it, doing yard work, the next day I’ll be like, I need to be in the gym. It’s kind of like I’m battling myself, but it is what it is.”

As he adjusts to life outside the cage, ‘The Diamond’ shows that even champions are human, struggling with identity, purpose, and the irresistible pull of a job that once filled every waking hour. But what if he decides to make a return? After all, he did reveal that there is one fighter who could pull him out of retirement, and that man is none other than Nate Diaz.

Will Dustin Poirier face Diaz after public callout?

Months after leaving the Octagon, Dustin Poirier’s competitive fire hasn’t subsided. While retirement has allowed him to think and devote more time to his family, fans can’t help but notice subtle signs that ‘The Diamond’ isn’t completely done with combat sports. A teasing post on X has sparked talk that Poirier may return, not to MMA, but to the boxing ring for one final fight.

The focus quickly turned to Nate Diaz, a longtime rival with a history of back-and-forth dating back years. Poirier’s callout was simple yet loaded with meaning: “Zuffa Boxing, 12 rounds, me and Nathaniel, I’d do it. Only 1 more fight I’d take.”

Given their volatile history, including a fight that never materialized at UFC 230, Diaz appears to be the likely target. Despite the buzz, Dustin Poirier later revealed that no real talk had taken place behind the scenes. As expected, Diaz did not accept the invitation either. In response to Poirier’s teasing, he wrote, “I’d beat your a– but you’re not [allowed]. PS you’re checked out already.”

The exchange, which is both humorous and pointed, emphasizes that, while fans are excited about the fight, it may never happen. For ‘The Diamond,’ the moment surely serves as a reminder that, while retirement has closed a door, his competitive spirit and the shadow of past rivalries still loom large.