Dustin Poirier couldn’t hide his disappointment after once again falling short in his bid to become the undisputed lightweight champion.
‘The Diamond’ enjoyed a strong opening round against Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 before ‘Do Bronx’ took over in round two and closed the show in the third frame with a standing rear-naked choke.
Poirier was clearly devastated about suffering another loss when speaking to the media at the UFC 269 post-fight press conference.
“It sucks, man, you know?” Poirier said. “I worked hard to get back here and fight for another world title. I got choked out again. I’m just heartbroken, really.”
“The guy is good, man,” Poirier added. “He’s the champ. … There’s such a small room for error in these fights. I felt good. After the first round, sitting on my stool, going into the second, drinking water and thinking, ‘I’m going to be the world champion tonight,’ it’s just such a crazy thing that we do.”
Dustin Poirier Is Unsure About What Is Next For Him
It is now unclear what is next for ‘The Diamond’ after this latest setback.
Ahead of UFC 269 he had talked about a potential move to welterweight while others had suggested the Lafayette, Louisiana native would walk away from a sport if he beat Oliveira to become champ.
“I can do anything I put my mind to. I can fight for another belt. I can go on another streak. I can claw and climb and get back to wherever I want to be.” Poirier said. “It’s just, ‘Do I want to?’ That’s the question I’ve got to look in the mirror and answer. Do I want to do it again? Do I want to go down that road again?
“That answer will come in the next couple days or couple weeks. I just need to let this pass and see what’s next for me. But if it’s in my heart and that’s what I want to do, I’ll be here fighting for another world title.”
“I think there are fights at 155 and welterweight for me still,” Poirier added. “I just don’t even want to think about who or what is next. It’s been a crazy, crazy year for me (with) three big fights. I just want to go home with my family. I’m healthy. They’re healthy. Like I said, man, I’m not a stranger to this kind of position.
“Nobody wants to be used to losing. I’m just used to learning. It is what it is. That’s the fight game. I’ll try not to sit up here at another press conference and cry in front of you guys, but I’m going to continue to do what I do. Be a father. Try to be a beacon of light. Keep grinding.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)
What do you think Dustin Poirier will do next?