ESPN and UFC analyst Din Thomas suggests the UFC won’t be rooting for Dustin Poirier to get his storybook ending.
Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) revealed that the UFC is currently working on having his retirement fight take place summer in his home state of Louisiana. “The Diamond” is targeting legends only.
Thomas thinks Poirier may not draw the ideal fight he’s looking for
“One thing I know about the UFC: They don’t give a damn about your retirement fight,” Thomas told MMA Junkie. “In fact, they would like to see you on your retirement fight be took out on a stretcher, in a neck brace. That’s the game. If you can have a retirement fight that they know about and you come out on top, you’ve won. You’ve beat the UFC. Nate Diaz beat the UFC. But it doesn’t happen.”
Thomas advises Poirier against hanging up his gloves in Louisiana
“I say that all the time, don’t fight in the home town with the UFC,” Thomas said. “The UFC, they’re going to get you beat up in your home town. That’s their thing. They love to see you take a chance against a killer in your home town. They’re going to get you beat up in your home town.”
Thomas suggests Poirier welcome Ilia Topuria to lightweight
“If they don’t do (Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev), why not put Ilia with Dustin Poirier? I think that fight kind of makes sense, too. Boxer vs. Boxer. I’m sure Dustin would probably relish that one.”
