Morning Report: Dustin Poirier wants four-man, one-night ‘BMF’ tournament with Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Dan Hooker
Dustin Poirier has quite the idea for his retirement fight.
Back in June, Poirier came up short in his bid for the lightweight title, losing to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. In the buildup to the bout, there was rampant speculation that it could be the final fight of Poirier’s storied career, with “The Diamond” even saying that was possible. However, not long after UFC 302, Poirier walked that back, saying he definitely wasn’t ready to hang up the gloves just yet, and on Tuesday, the former interim lightweight champion confirmed that while speaking with MMA Today on Sirius XM.
“Realistically, I probably have five, six [fights left],” Poirier said. “But I’m not going to do that to my body. Here I’m about to have another nose surgery. What if I come back and crack it again? We’ve just got to see. It’s one fight at a time. But I definitely want to do one, and especially if there’s a possibility to come home and do it in Louisiana, that’s where I’d love to lay the gloves down.”
Poirier is set to have nose surgery soon which will keep him sidelined for a few months, but “The Diamond” confirmed he and the UFC have spoken about a card taking place in New Orleans sometime next year. If that ends up happening, it would obviously be a perfect opportunity for one final fight for the Louisiana native, and though it might be a pipe dream, there’s is a perfect opponent, or opponents, for his last dance: an old-school, one-night tournament for the “BMF” title.
“Now that excites me,” Poirier said. “Because that kind of stuff is for the dogs. That’s like old Pride days or Grand Prix. That’s a real ‘BMF.’ If you can fight a tournament in one night, multiple opponents, that’s the definition of ‘BMF.’
“That would be it,” Poirier added about retirement. “If they put that together and it was a one-night tournament, that would be it.”
The UFC has not put on a one-night tournament since UFC 23 in 1999, meaning it’s unlikely the promotion will actually do this, but if by some miracle it does, Poirier has the perfect lineup for who should join him in it.
“[Justin] Gaethje, [Dan] Hooker, and Max [Holloway], maybe. That’s a bloodbath. Do it on Friday the 13th.”
Poirier has substantial history with Gaethje, Hooker, and Holloway, having a pair of fights with both Gaethje and Holloway, as well as a Fight of the Night battle with Hooker in 2020. Gaethje and Holloway recently faced off at UFC 300, with Holloway stopping “The Highlight” with a last-second knockout to claim the “BMF” title. Holloway now challenges Ilia Topuria for the featherweight belt at UFC 308 later this month. Hooker, meanwhile, recently won a split decision over Mateusz Gamrot to move into the top-five of the UFC’s lightweight division.
And while such an idea is still a long way from taking place, it does at least have the seal of approval from UFC CEO Dana White, who responded to Poirier’s pitch after the most recent episode of Contender Series.
“Sounds fun,” White said. “Never thought about it but yeah, I love it.”
Don’t threaten me with a good time. https://t.co/ag45arvez4
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) October 9, 2024
TOP STORIES
Tragic. A number of fighters wrote letters of support for the UFC antitrust lawsuit settlement, outlining urgent need for money.
Return of the GOAT. Dana White responded to Amanda Nunes teasing a possible return.
Hospital. Kayla Harrison reveals she had to go to the hospital ahead of UFC 307, responds to Julianna Peña dismissing her.
Tsk Tsk. Larissa Pacheco wasn’t a fan of PFL mocking Kayla Harrison ahead of UFC 307.
Jeopardy. Daniel Cormier claims Alex Pereira was close to withdrawing from UFC 307 due to injury.
Contender Series. Four fighters earned UFC contracts at Contender Series, including Alex Pereira’s kickboxing rival Artem Vakhitov.
VIDEO STEW
Dana White Contender Series scrum.
Contender Series contract announcement.
UFC 307 Fight Motion.
Dustin Poirier got jokes.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Fighter vs. Writer
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Raquel Pennington statement.
Khalil Rountree, ouch.
Jon Jones training with Gable Steveson.
Alex Pereira and Artem Vakhitov chopping things up after Contender Series.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
February we got business to handle @MarvinVettori. So its very clear I specifically asked for you, if the fight doesn't happen its bc of you. February 22 or 15 if 22 isnt in USA. I will be there yet again, will you?
— Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) October 9, 2024
And i said what i said, there won't be any back and forth. Im ready to have an answer to our dilemna, we answer it in february or nothing will ever be discussed again. It will then just be you talking by your lonely
— Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) October 9, 2024
Im definitely good with fighting you let’s see about the timing
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) October 9, 2024
Umar Nurmagomedov.
Even if the whole world says in one voice, 'Merab will beat Umar', it won't give you courage to face me in January." pic.twitter.com/Gt69TY4hsi
— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) October 8, 2024
Sean O’Malley.
If unibrow and Merab don’t fight by the end of the year I’m fighting Merab in March. suck my sac if you don’t like that.
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) October 8, 2024
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you haven’t checked out the Contender Series stuff from last night, it’s worth your while. I don’t know if Artem Vakhitov will transition over to the UFC nearly as well as “Poatan” did, but anytime a guy who beat Pereira in kickboxing comes over, you’ve got to at least pay attention. Especially when Poatan himself gives that guy the seal of approval.
Also, and I cannot stress this enough, Poirier’s one-night tournament idea is the best idea in years. I need it to happen. Please, just one time let the UFC make this happen. We deserve it.
EXIT POLL
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