Dustin Poirier received an outpouring of messages after his last fight on UFC 318.
The former UFC -Interim -light weight champion made his last walk to the Octagon on Saturday evening for his home crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Despite many festivities, Poirier's pension fight would eventually be spoiled by opponent, BMF champion Max Holloway, who was previously 0-2 against Poirier.
Holloway avoided a three-level against Poirier and finally received revenge on 'The Diamond' by beating him in a heavily fought unanimous decision.
Many hunters have expressed their respect at Poirier after UFC 318, including one of his greatest enemies: Islam Makhachev.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev says that Dustin Poirier is one of the greatest 'hunters of all time
In his coveted career, Poirier unfortunately went 0-3 in undisputed title fights.
One of those losses then came to the then lightweight champion Makhachev, who submitted Poirier in the last round of their title fight on UFC 302 last summer.
Poirier pulled blood from Makhachev and earned the respect of the champion through five rounds.
Makhachev sent Poirier a message after his pension loss to Holloway.
“Congratulations, Dustin,” wrote Makhachev on X.
“You are really one of the best that ever step into the cage.
“It was an honor and a privilege to share it with you,” Makhachev told Poirier.
Congratulations, Dustin. You are really one of the best that ever gets into the cage. It was an honor and a privilege to share it with you pic.twitter.com/rqj3fa0ytq
– Makhachev Islam (@makhachevmma) July 20, 2025
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Dustin Poirier will probably be included in UFC Hall of Fame in a few years
Poirier did not get his hand lifted in his last fight, but that did not know the inheritance he left in the Octagon.
Poirier won the interim light weight championship in 2019 and broke into the process of Max Holloway's legendary 13-Fight Win Streak.
Poirier became the first man to eliminate Conor McGregor in 2021 and won their series later that year with a 2-1 leg fracture in their trilogy fight.
Poirier withdraws with a 22-9 record in the UFC and a record of 30-10 in MMA.
After his pension fight, UFC CEO Dana White was asked if we could see 'The Diamond' in the UFC Hall of Fame.
“Yes, could be,” White said at the UFC 318 after the press conference after the fight.