Dustin Poirier. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Dustin Poirier calls out Nate Diaz for possible BMF title eliminator

By Aaron Case | Last updated Dec 7, 2024 6:44 PM ET

After toying with retirement earlier this year, UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier decided he’d stick around for a couple more fights. And The Diamond may have already picked his penultimate opponent from a behind-the-scenes skirmish at the UFC 311 pre-fight news conference.

On Friday, cameras caught a dustup between former UFC lightweight Nate Diaz and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev when they bumped into each other backstage at the event. Diaz chucked a water bottle at Makhachev, who returned fire with a bottle of his own.

When Poirier heard about the scuffle, he fired off an X post suggesting he step in to mediate. “Bring Nate [sic] back and let me smash him,” he wrote.

Bring nate back and let me smash him
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 7, 2024

With just two fights left in his career — unless he changes his mind again — Poirier, 35, is likely looking for the biggest payouts he can get. The 39-year-old Diaz is an excellent choice.

One of the most outlandish and beloved characters in UFC history, Diaz would draw plenty of interest from fans. Plus, the two have unfinished business. They were set to fight at UFC 230 in 2018, but the bout was canceled due to a Poirier injury.

What’s more, a fight between Poirier and Diaz could be a BMF title eliminator. Both fighters have fought for the honorary title: Diaz lost the inaugural BMF fight to Jorge Masvidal, and Poirier dropped the second BMF bout to Justin Gaethje.

Poirier recently proposed a BMF tournament, and UFC President Dana White said he’s into the idea. Also, current BMF champion Max Holloway has expressed interest in taking on The Diamond.

White should convince Diaz to re-sign with the UFC and get this fight made. Let the UFC legends end their careers in a blaze of BMF glory.

Aaron Case

Aaron Case is a die hard Yankees fan from upstate New York who fuels his writing with too much coffee. When he's not riding the emotional roller coaster that is the MLB season, he's probably daydreaming and doodling or making beats. Follow him on X @AarontheCase1

More must-reads: