There is no turning back for Dustin Poirier.
His loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 was the last time we saw him in the Diamond.
He will retire with a 30-9 record and go down as one of the toughest and greatest fighters the Ultimate Fighting Championship has seen.
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The 2018 MMA Junkie Fighter of the Year is only 35. However, he already fought around 50 matches since starting in the sport at 17.
This is one of the reasons he thinks there's no longer a need for him to continue his MMA career and fight in the octagon.
"I'm 35 and I see people and hear people say, 'That's not old.' But I have 50 fights," Poirier said in a press conference.
"I've been fighting since I was 17 years old. I fought my first cage fight when I was 18. I have 10 fights that aren't on my record. I've just got to digest everything, talk to my family, talk to my coaches, and see. There's no rush on it but this could be my last fight. I don't know. I've just got to get home and see what I'm fighting for."
The loss to Makhachev was his third in his last five bouts.
His biggest wins came in 2021 when he defeated Conor McGregor in back-to-back fights in January and July.
Retirement made hard by Makhachev loss
Poirier knew that there was nothing that he needed to achieve anymore after a two-decade career.
Still, he wanted to go out strong.
Makhachev prevented him from doing that, which is why retirement became a harder decision for him.
"Tonight, if I were to have won that belt, I'd be content with everything I've done in this sport. It's just I didn't get the ultimate goal," he said.
"The reason I started fighting was to be the champion, undisputed. I didn't get it. I don't know. I don't know."
Right now, he is adamant about stepping away from the game.
He said he would focus more on his family and kids after retirement.
Poirier also discussed the amount of money he is walking away from, but his current priorities are his loved ones and his health.
"I don't want the sport to retire me; I'm going to retire from the sport and do it on my terms."
Makhachev, for his part, acknowledged the fight put up by his latest opponent.
He thought they had a good game plan against him, making his life difficult in the octagon.
He also paid tribute to Poirier, whom he called a legend of the sport.
"He defends my takedowns very well and gave me hard time. He is a champ and legend of this sport," said Makhachev.
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