The most important career decision of Islam Makhakev this year this year may have cleared the way for Dustin Poirier to fight again after UFC 318, according to a former champion.
After Poirier was submitted by Makhachev to UFC 302, which marked the third failed attempt by the Louisianan to catch the undisputed lightweight title, he openly considered pension.
Shortly thereafter, 'The Diamond' is dedicated to a last Octagon -outing, and this weekend when Poirier retires at UFC 318 by challenging the symbolic BMF belt of Max Holloway.
From retirement has never been certain in mixed martial arts, and one ex-champion can imagine that Poirier is fighting after the 19 July event in New Orleans, given how things have shifted since he announced his decision to hang the gloves.
Aljamain Sterling says that Islam Makhachev who devours the title can extend the career of Dustin Poirier
During a recent episode of his podcast, The Weekly Scraps, former UFC Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling Vooruit looked ahead to an event that was invoiced as the first of the Poirier.
On the subject of 'The Diamond' will be real with retirement after UFC 318, Sterling suggested that Makhachev's decision to leave the crown possibly shot a fourth undisputed title on the table for Poirier if he can 'dominate' Holloway in New Orleans in New Orleans.
“Now that Islam is accelerating, it opens the door wide, depending on how this version goes,” said Sterling.
“Let's say he dominates (Holloway), I feel that it will be difficult to establish that itching and to be like:” I'm just finished. ” … if he dominates, there might be that light bulb in the back of his mind: “Do you know what I still have a dance.”
“I think if he can go outside and dominate, look great in this version, maybe even get a finish over a tough guy like Max … I think he will hang one by one,” sterlings added. “That's what I really think he's going to do, if it's a title shot.”
Dustin Poirier has insisted that UFC 318 is the end
However, when it comes to Sterling's comments, Poirier would probably beg to differ.
In a video that was recently posted on social media by full violence, Poirier repeated his plan to retire on UFC 318 and said that he just has too many important things to set up, away from fighting at this stage of his life.
“This is the last. 19 years in, man. Had my first cage fight in 2007 … My wife is now pregnant … My wife is pregnant with a boy. So there is a lot going on, man.”
In a sport that is known for veterans returning from the sidelines for controversial and relevant attacks, many fans will undoubtedly wait for the aftermath of the event on Saturday before they completely believed Poirier's retirement.