Dustin Poirier’s Potential Return to Boxing
Dustin Poirier may have stepped away from the octagon, but he’s open to the prospect of heading into a boxing ring if it means facing off against Nate Diaz. The 36-year-old fighter officially retired from combat sports after his final UFC bout against Max Holloway in his home state of Louisiana in July 2023. Although Poirier has publicly stated that he has no plans to fight again, a recent post on social media sparked discussions about a potential return.
“Zuffa Boxing, [12 rounds], me and Nathaniel, I’d do it,” Poirier wrote on X, indicating he would consider a boxing match as a singular exception to his retirement—calling it the “only [one] more fight I’d take.”
History Between Poirier and Diaz
The two fighters have a history, having been scheduled to compete against each other in a UFC event in 2018. However, that highly anticipated matchup fell apart, with both fighters attributing the breakdown to the other’s actions. Poirier pointed to Diaz’s extended negotiations with the UFC as the reason for the cancellation, while Diaz contended that Poirier’s injury status was the true cause. Diaz even claimed to take some credit for a perceived victory over Poirier due to these injuries.
Nate Diaz’s Boxing Journey
Now 40, Diaz departed the UFC in 2022 to explore other avenues, including a foray into professional boxing. He faced Jake Paul in his boxing debut in 2023 but lost via unanimous decision. However, he rebounded by winning a boxing match against Jorge Masvidal, another former UFC rival, in July 2024. While Diaz has shown interest in possibly making a return to the UFC, he has yet to respond to Poirier’s boxing challenge.
Poirier’s Reflection on His Career
Poirier reflected on his career, noting,
“I’m retired, I’m done, but Nate is one that got away.”
Zuffa Boxing’s New Venture
In related news, Zuffa Boxing, a newly established promotion, announced a significant broadcasting partnership with Paramount+ and CBS on the same day that Poirier’s proposal was disclosed. The venture is helmed by UFC CEO Dana White and aims to make a substantial impact in the boxing world.
