Dustin Poirier is all set for one last run under the bright lights. At UFC 318, ‘The Diamond’ will make his final walk to the Octagon in front of a roaring New Orleans crowd. Standing opposite him will be a familiar face—Max Holloway—ready for a high-stakes trilogy bout, this time with the coveted BMF title up for grabs. The former 155lbs interim champ is without a doubt one of the most elite fighters in the division, who has also given a five-star classic inside the Octagon.

However, he has not only developed as a fighter but also made significant changes in his looks. The former interim champion has always been a huge fan of tattoos. But for the fans who have closely monitored him can see significant changes. When he initially started, he had a tattoo called ‘One Thug’ on his abdomen. However, he has removed it, which has been very evident to the fans. But why exactly did he do that? Let us find out about it below!

Why did Dustin Poirier remove his ‘One Thug’ tattoo?

Dustin Poirier is a slugger in and out! And just like his devastating striking, different tattoos stretch across his body, each one telling a story of who he is, where he’s been, and what he stands for. Poirier got the ‘One Thug’ tattoo in his younger years, back when his life was still tangled in street fights and youthful rebellion in Lafayette, Louisiana.

At the time, it was a reflection of how he saw himself—rough around the edges, hardened by experience, and ready to throw down at a moment’s notice. It was less about glorifying violence and more about surviving it, a personal badge from a chapter of his life marked by struggle. ESPN MMA took to their Instagram page to share the details with the fans.

Although the exact reason is not known, we can assume that as Poirier grew, not just as a fighter, but as a man, husband, and father, he began to distance himself from that image. The nickname ‘One Thug’ no longer represented who he was becoming. He started his charity work through ‘The Good Fight Foundation’, helping underserved communities and children. He embraced a more disciplined life rooted in values, legacy, and purpose.

The tattoo started to feel out of place—a reminder of a mindset he had outgrown. So, Poirier decided to have it removed. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about moving forward. In interviews, he’s acknowledged that the tattoo no longer aligned with his identity and how he wanted to be seen by the world, especially by his daughter.

More than the tattoo, the fighting world is waiting to witness the 36-year-old in action for one last time. While fans are embracing this as a fitting finale to Poirier’s storied career, not everyone sees it through the same rose-tinted lens. Former two-division champ Daniel Cormier isn’t entirely convinced it’ll be a fairytale ending.

Yes, ‘The Diamond’ has split wins and losses in his last four outings, but this next one feels different—and not necessarily in a good way. According to Cormier, there’s a lingering curse hovering over Poirier, the same ominous shadow that struck another fighter down at UFC Kansas City. Whether it’s superstition or something deeper, Cormier believes the Louisiana native could be in for more than just a retirement fight.

Daniel Cormier gives his honest verdict about Poirier’s last fight

On his YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier didn’t hold back in expressing his concern over Dustin Poirier’s choice to retire in front of his hometown crowd. The former double champ shared his hesitation about the decision, pointing to the emotional weight that comes with fighting on home soil, especially when it’s meant to be the final chapter.

Cormier explained that while the moment may seem perfect on paper, it doesn’t always play out that way in the Octagon. ‘DC’ said, “Look, man, everybody wants to fight at home, but it’s not always the best. Think about this, the guys that have fought at home in a retirement fight, how’s it gone?”

Cormier made it clear—history isn’t exactly in Poirier’s corner. And he’s not just speculating. He’s witnessed how these heartfelt send-offs can quickly turn sour. Case in point: Anthony Smith. The UFC gave him a retirement fight in his hometown of Kansas City, hoping for a storybook ending.

Instead, Smith was overwhelmed, battered, and left bloodied on the mat by Zhang Mingyang—far from the farewell anyone had envisioned. As fans, we can only hope that ‘The Diamond’ can end his career on a high note.

However, we all know what exactly ‘Blessed’ is capable of doing with his brutal striking power. Who do you think will come out on top between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.