Dustin Poirier believes in predestination. “Like that wasn’t by chance, I don’t believe in coincidence like that this was all supposed to happen… it was written before I started,” ‘The Diamond’ said on the ‘Outta Pocket with RGIII’ podcast recently. For context, the former interim lightweight champ was talking about when he realized “fighting had chosen him”. And while he may believe it was all written and part of God’s plan, there was one particular moment that cemented his view that this is what he will do for the rest of his life.

“You know, my wife was in college. I was fighting, working a full-time job as a professional fighter, you know, hit my first bonus in the UFC when I was young- 20 or 21 years old. And back in the day they [bonuses] were 65[k], and they [the UFC] wrote you a check in the locker room, right there, when, you know, Lorenzo [Fertitta] and them owned it. They would cut you check in the locker room,” the former interim champ said.

“So I might have been making $14,000 to fight and I get a $65,000 check, and I’m like ‘you know, this is the life. This is what how it’s supposed to be.’ Got home, got out of debt, paid off my wife’s car, you know. She moved with me to Florida, dropped out of school,” Poirier added.

The Louisiana native won his first bonus in the UFC back in 2012, one month after his twenty-third birthday. In fact, this bonus-winning performance was a fantastic first-round submission over fellow UFC legend, Max Holloway, who had agreed to fight then 145fer at UFC 143 on short notice. And that bonus, at a time when Poirier was getting $14k for a fight, proved to be the moment that defined the course of the rest of his life.

But now, after almost a decade and a half in the promotion and with accolades like an interim 155lbs title belt, 10 performance of the night bonuses, and most importantly one of the greatest legacies in the sport, ‘The Diamond’ is ready to hang it up, but he wants to do it on his own terms. Let’s take a look at the front!

Dustin Poirier’s career is about to come full circle

Dustin Poirier’s UFC career is coming to an end. The legendary brawler has confirmed that his next outing will be his swansong. And the 36-year-old wants his last dance to be in the city where he started his career- New Orleans, which is not too far from his hometown of Lafayette. But the big question is! Will the UFC oblige him? The answer to that question is an emphatic yes!

“I actually been having calls every week with the UFC, but it’s looking like summer in New Orleans is close to happening for my retirement fight,” Poirier said in an interview with YouTuber ‘The Schmo’ earlier this month. “A pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible. That’s what I’m pushing forward. That’s what the UFC’s working towards, and things are getting pretty close. Lay down the gloves where it all started in Louisiana, it would be an honor for me.”

This leads to another question. Who will Poirier fight in his last dance? Well, the short answer is- we don’t know for sure. But there are a few good possibilities. The first is Justin Gaethje, who has had two intriguing clashes with the Louisianan, in which both men are one win apiece. Then there is the possibility that ‘The Diamond’ fights Max Holloway for the BMF belt, even if Poirier has won both their previous clashes.

Michael Chandler, who is sure to put on a good show, could also get the nod, as could the freshly moved-up Ilia Topuria, who has explicitly said he wants to fight ‘The Diamond’. Of course, until the UFC makes the official announcement, nothing could be said for sure. But Poirier’s opponent is very likely to be one of these men. What do you think about Dustin Poirier’s revelations about the significance of winning his first bonus in the UFC?