Andrew Ravens
Dustin Poirier recently reflected on what he considers the defining win of his MMA career.
Speaking on Joe Rogan’s MMA show, the now-retired lightweight looked back on his knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January 2021 and explained why that fight, above all others in a 19-year career, was the one that shifted everything for him.
“I fought 19 years, that Conor fight, that’s when things changed for me recognition-wise,” Poirier said. “The door opened for seminars, for appearances. That changed everything. I had been in so many UFC main events. I had fought for the belt and done all this stuff, but that guy’s name, man.”
Poirier and McGregor first met in 2014, when McGregor knocked Poirier out in 98 seconds. Seven years later, Poirier reversed that result in Abu Dhabi, finishing McGregor in the second round. It was a significant moment in UFC history, but Poirier’s comments make clear just how much it meant to him personally and professionally.
The remarks are striking, given the résumé Poirier had already built before that night. He had headlined pay-per-view events, competed in title fights, and spent a decade at the top of the lightweight division. By any measure, he was already an established name in the sport.
But Poirier is clear that none of it translated into the kind of visibility and opportunity that came from beating McGregor. The name value McGregor carries, even years removed from his prime, opened doors that years of elite-level competition had not.
Dustin Poirier on why he retired from UFC
Poirier ultimately retired from MMA following a loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318 in July 2025, where he was outpointed in their BMF title trilogy fight. He had announced his retirement before the bout. On the Rogan Show, he explained his reasoning for stepping away at 36.
“I was scared about fighting for too long,” Poirier said. “I retired at 36. How much more athletic am I going to get? How much faster am I gonna get? Power is the last thing to go, but durability, speed, reaction time, and everything that I need decline with age.
“And if I’m not right in line for a title shot, what am I doing? I’m fighting just to fight, or for a paycheck. I had to look myself in the mirror, like, ‘Okay, this is it. I’m gonna be healthy.’ I left with my faculties, for the most part.”
