UFC 302 is six days away, which features Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev in the main event for Makhachev’s lightweight title. Leading up to it, Daniel Cormier, an ex-UFC double-champion and commentator, isn’t particularly pleased with Poirier’s internal and external discussions about retirement from MMA with a win or loss in New Jersey.
In a video posted to YouTube nearly a full day ago, Cormier, who walked away from competition three years ago, said Poirier needs to reconsider his decision-making regardless of how the fight plays out.
UFC 302: Dustin Poirier Stars in New Bud Light Ad Ahead of Islam Makhachev Fight
“I hate it for the idea that it could be almost over, and he recognizes that,” Cormier said. “I don’t like when athletes — because I did it myself; I’m almost judging myself. I don’t love [it] when athletes put a timeline or a finishing point on a career that’s still actively going on. That is a hard thing to do.”
Cormier said life after retirement is not as sunny and rainbow-filled as fans may perceive it. According to him, fighters don’t have to be as dedicated or disciplined because they aren’t in the gym training for a fight on a daily basis, nor are they subject to the displeasures of weight-cutting, pre- and post-fight media obligations, or other appearances that may be required regularly because they simply do not have to.
Nevertheless, the fight with Makhachev, coming off back-to-back wins against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, is Poirier’s third crack at winning undisputed gold. Poirier lost to then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019, followed by a second failed attempt against Charles Oliveira over two years later. Both losses came by submission.
Whether June 1 is the last time Poirier steps into the Octagon still remains to be seen, but regardless, his track record as one of the best lightweights in the world is undeniable.
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