Dustin Poirier: 'Can't leave this sport on a loss'

Retirement?

Not yet, Dustin Poirier said Monday.

The 35-year-old confirmed he plans to return to the UFC octagon after mulling over retirement following his loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June.

"I've never lost two in a row," Poirier said during an appearance on the Anik and Florian podcast. "I can't leave this sport on a loss."

Poirier was considering stepping away from the sport immediately following the Makhachev fight on June 1, but his drive gradually returned.

"A few weeks went by, injuries started hurting less and less post-fight, and I was like, ‘I've got to do this again,'" he said.

Poirier said he "100 percent" believes his next opponent will be one of seven fighters: Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira or Colby Covington.

A 5-foot-9, 155-pound southpaw, Poirier is 30-9-0 with one no contest. His last victory came at UFC 299 in Miami on March 9, when he defeated Benoit Saint Denis by knockout.

--Field Level Media