Din Thomas’ delivery was vulgar, but his Dustin Poirier sentiment is painfully true

Dustin Poirier could’ve easily retired last summer after falling short in another courageous, albeit unsuccessful world title attempt against Islam Makhachev. Instead, he’ll be back for another but would be wrong in thinking the promotion he’s proudly represented over the past 15 years wants a storybook ending.

Poirier must exercise caution, though it’s not in his nature

Dustin Poirier’s UFC career
31 fights (23-8), former interim lightweight champion
Tied with Edson Barboza (10) for most Fight of the Night bonuses
Holds victories over five former UFC titleholders
Fifth-most significant strikes landed in UFC history

The above factfile, albeit brief, doesn’t do Dustin Poirier’s UFC tenure justice. We’d be here all day, reminiscing on what he managed to achieve and the sliding door moments which could’ve seen his career turn from nearly man to undisputed legend.

That’s the point here. Poirier has rehabbed from a grim list of injuries sustained in his Makhachev defeat last summer, with UFC veteran-turned-analyst Din Thomas telling MMA Junkie this week that legends-only retirement fight won’t be what he wants.

Having captured the imagination in a Conor McGregor trilogy and parlaying that into a frantic Charles Oliveira-Michael Chandler-Justin Gaethje trident of unforgettable fights in little over an 18-month span, those electrifying spectacles are why he can’t depart the sport quietly later this year. Live by the sword, die by the sword is apt here.

“One thing I know about the UFC: They don’t give a damn about your retirement fight. In fact, they would like to see you be took out on a stretcher, in a neck brace. That’s the game. If you can have a retirement fight they know about and come out on top, you’ve won, beat the UFC. Nate Diaz did, but it doesn’t happen.”

• Din Thomas on UFC booking retirement fights

Poirier has mentioned Diaz and Holloway, among other 30-something legends, as options for a Louisiana homecoming and while it may look good on paper, we’ll have to wait and see. Former champions Frankie Edgar, Glover Teixeira and lighting-in-a-bottle contender Jorge Masvidal come to mind as recent examples to the contrary.