Dustin Poirier Credits McGregor KO for Breakthrough, Opens Up on Retirement Struggles

Overview

• Poirier said his UFC 257 knockout of Conor McGregor was the result that dramatically increased his recognition and opened doors for appearances and seminars.
• He noted that the McGregor rematch in Abu Dhabi reversed their 2014 meeting, when he was stopped in 98 seconds, and that the 2021 win carried outsized name value.
• The former interim champion retired following a decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318 in July 2025, a move he had announced before the bout.
• He explained he chose to retire because durability, speed, and reaction time decline with age and he did not want to fight without being in immediate title contention.
• Poirier described long days and a lingering identity void since retiring, saying he fell into a “funk” and is still figuring out who he is without fighting.