Dustin Poirier is set to have one final UFC fight this year, and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo thinks he might have worked out who will be tasked with sending him into retirement.
Poirier is planning to make his farewell in 2025. He committed to one more Octagon outing soon after his latest failed shot at the undisputed lightweight title last June in Newark, where he was submitted in round five of the UFC 302 main event by Islam Makhachev.
While an opponent and event is yet to be announced, “The Diamond” is targeting fellow “legends” of the sport for a showdown close to home in New Orleans this summer.
And that exact description has left one fellow fighter sharing a possible theory...
I can see Ilia Topuria vs. Dustin Poirier," Cejudo said on episode 26 of The Bohnfire podcast, hosted by MMA Junkie reporter Mike Bohn. "Of course, if I think about it, Dustin Poirier did say he's only fighting legends for his retirement fight and Ilia Topuria just changed his name to 'The Legend.' ... We're probably on to something.
Topuria, who is set to vacate the featherweight title and move permanently to the lightweight division, caused a stir last month when he announced the end of his "El Matador" nickname.
As he begins a pursuit of championship glory in a new weight class, the Spaniard will go by the moniker of "La Leyenda," meaning "The Legend."