Stepping away from the Octagon has not shielded Dustin Poirier from the physical toll of combat sports. ‘The Diamond’ officially called time on his storied MMA career at UFC 318 last July, delivering a heartfelt farewell performance in his home state of Louisiana. In the pay-per-view main event, Poirier fell to BMF champion Max Holloway, going out with a valiant effort before laying his gloves down in New Orleans to confirm his retirement.
Yet retirement, it seems, has not meant stepping away from the grind.
Back on the Mats — and back in pain
Despite announcing his exit from professional competition, Poirier has continued training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Recently spotted working alongside elite names such as Mateusz Gamrot, the former lightweight contender has shown little sign of slowing down inside the gym.
However, that intensity has come at a cost. Dustin Poirier took to social media to reveal a broken pinky toe suffered during training — the same toe injury that forced Conor McGregor to withdraw from UFC 303 in June 2024.
Even outside active competition, the physical risks of MMA remain ever-present. The setback adds another chapter to Poirier’s long history of injuries sustained through years of high-level warfare.
Comeback whispers continue
Like many MMA retirements, Poirier’s exit has been accompanied by speculation about a potential return. In recent months, he has been loosely linked to intriguing possibilities — from a boxing match against Nate Diaz to a trilogy bout with interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
Whether his latest training stint was tied to concrete fight plans remains unclear. What is evident, however, is that Dustin Poirier has not embraced a quiet retirement.
For now, the former lightweight star faces recovery from yet another injury. But if history is any indication, setbacks have rarely kept ‘The Diamond’ down for long.