It’s hard to believe it’s already been more than a week since Dustin Poirier called time on his remarkable MMA career. The sound of his hammer fists and punishing kicks now lives only in our memories—and across countless internet highlight reels. At UFC 318, ‘The Diamond’ officially closed the chapter on a nearly 17-year journey inside the cage. It all started in 2009, in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Poirier made his professional debut under USA MMA with a win. Fast forward to UFC 318—held in the same state where it all began—his long-anticipated “last dance” didn’t quite play out like a fairytale. Dana White & Co. had hoped to give Dustin Poirier a proper sendoff in front of his home crowd, but the script flipped. Max Holloway, the reigning BMF champion and 0-2 against Poirier heading into the fight, finally got his revenge.

A stunning performance from the BMF champ ended the Lafayette native’s final title hopes, but it couldn’t shake his status as a fan favorite. Even without the belt, Poirier left the octagon with the farewell of a legend, showered with love from stars like Lil Wayne and millions of devoted fans. And that love hasn’t faded.

Dustin Poirier, while unlikely to return to the Octagon, is currently enjoying some well-earned family time, relaxing on a beach holiday with his daughter and pregnant wife. This break from the spotlight suggests he might take a little longer to begin his next chapter as an ESPN analyst.

More than a week after his retirement, tributes are still pouring in. One of the most memorable came from Japanese comedian and entertainer Kazuhisa Uekusa, known worldwide for his cheeky tablecloth tricks. With over 8 million followers across Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, Uekusa dedicated a special video to Dustin Poirier.

In the clip—which Poirier shared on his Instagram story—Uekusa performed his trademark stunt before revealing a message written below his waist on a large sheet of paper: “Congratulations Dustin! We are so proud of you. Diamonds are forever. We love you.” Interestingly, Kazuhisa Uekusa also follows Joe Rogan—and the UFC commentator follows him back. Uekusa’s not just a UFC fan. Just recently, he met NBA star DeAndre Jordan.

Coming back to the octagon, Rogan and Dustin Poirier have always shared a respectful bond, with ‘The Diamond’ even making an appearance on Rogan’s popular podcast. That’s why Rogan’s absence from UFC 318—Poirier’s final walk to the Octagon—left many fans disappointed, expecting him to be part of the sendoff.

Dustin Poirier reacts to Joe Rogan’s absence from UFC 318 commentary booth

Over the course of more than thirty years, Joe Rogan has been a staple of UFC broadcasts—sharing the Octagon with legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, and even delivering Conor McGregor’s infamous post-leg-break interview at UFC 264. His presence has always been synonymous with big fight moments, consistently standing by fighters of all levels as part of the broadcast team.

However, UFC 318 marked a notable exception. While Dustin Poirier was competing in what many believe could be his final fight, Rogan was on a family vacation aboard a superyacht in Europe. It was a moment that felt symbolic for Poirier’s storied career, but Rogan’s absence left things feeling just a little off—especially given how many of Poirier’s biggest pay-per-view bouts Rogan had been present for.

When asked about it during UFC 318 media day, Poirier responded, “Closing it out with Rogan would’ve been cool, but also, DC, the legend he is, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame he is, everything he brings is awesome to be able to talk to him when it’s all said and done. [He’s] another Louisiana boy in New Orleans, so it’s special.”

Now that Dustin Poirier has officially stepped away from the Octagon, he has ruled out a return—at least for the foreseeable future. With his wife expecting their second child, Poirier is prioritizing family life and isn’t planning to take on any new role, including his potential second career in broadcasting, until things settle at home.