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Dustin Poirier back in the gym and looking sharp

Originally posted on MMA Weekly | By Jeff Cain | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 12:53 PM ET

Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier is preparing for his final fight and expects his opponent to be announced soon. Meanwhile, "The Diamond" is back in the gym and looking phenomenal.

Ranked No. 5 in the weight class, the 36-year old can still compete with the top of the division but doesn't want to stick around too long as is often common among athletes. He last fought at UFC 302 last June, losing to champion Islam Makhachev via submission in the fifth round.

Poirier has fought for the 155-pound championship three times in his career and came up short against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Makhachev. With no realistic path back to a title fight, Poirier sees no reason to continue fighting. For him, it was always about becoming a world champion.

Dustin Poirier is back in the gym

@DustinPoirier #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/D9E9R4KS96
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 17, 2025

Poirier's final fight is expected to take place sometime this summer. While his opponent hasn't been officially named, Poirier has made it clear that he wants an opponent worthy of the moment. He didn't think rising star Paddy Pimblett fit that bill.

Heading into his UFC 302 title fight against Makhachev, Poirier indicated that could have been his last fight.

"I've dedicated so much to fighting over the past 18 years that it's time to be like a civilian I feel like," Poirier said this time last year.

This article first appeared on MMA Weekly and was syndicated with permission.

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