Dustin Poirier’s dream of a lucrative boxing match against longtime rival Nate Diaz has hit a significant roadblock—the UFC’s contractual control extending beyond his recent retirement. “The Diamond” revealed that despite stepping away from MMA after his UFC 318 loss to Max Holloway, he remains bound by multiple fights on his UFC contract, preventing him from pursuing the crossover bout that fans have been demanding for years.
The Contractual Prison: UFC’s Reach Beyond Retirement
Poirier’s situation exposes the often-overlooked reality of UFC contracts, which maintain control over fighters even after they announce retirement. “I would love to whip him up, man, slap him around,” Poirier said of a potential Diaz boxing match during a recent interview. However, he acknowledged the stark reality: “I had several fights left on my deal when I retired, which means the UFC still holds the rights to my professional fighting career.”
This contractual bind mirrors situations faced by other UFC legends, most notably Georges St-Pierre, whose attempted boxing match with Oscar De La Hoya was blocked by similar contractual obligations. The standard UFC agreement includes provisions that extend the promotion’s exclusive rights to a fighter’s combat sports appearances, creating significant barriers for retired fighters seeking opportunities in boxing or other organisations.
Poirier’s Struggle with Post-Retirement Life
Since his emotional retirement announcement following the Holloway loss, Poirier has been candid about his difficulties adjusting to life outside the octagon. “I’ve been struggling with the transition,” he admitted, highlighting the void left by competitive fighting. His attendance at recent UFC events, including UFC 322, where he watched former opponent Islam Makhachev compete, has only intensified his desire to return to competition in some form.
The potential boxing match with Diaz represents more than just a payday for Poirier—it’s an opportunity to channel his competitive energy into a new challenge while settling one of MMA’s longest-running rivalries. The two veterans have traded verbal jabs for years, with their only previous meeting ending in a no-contest due to cuts in 2018, leaving their rivalry unresolved.
The Dana White Factor: UFC Approval Required
Any hope of the Poirier-Diaz boxing match materialising rests squarely on UFC President Dana White’s approval. Historically, White has been protective of UFC contracts, consistently blocking fighters from pursuing boxing matches while under UFC control. The promotion’s stance reflects both business interests and concerns about fighter safety when transitioning between sports.
White’s position hasn’t softened despite growing fighter interest in crossover bouts, as evidenced by his handling of similar requests from other UFC stars. For Poirier to secure his release, he would need to negotiate a settlement or receive special permission—both scenarios that White has been reluctant to grant in the past, even to established stars like Poirier.
Fan Demand and Financial Incentives
The MMA community has rallied behind the potential matchup, recognising it as one of the most compelling fights that never happened during both fighters’ UFC tenures. Social media has exploded with support for the bout, with fans pointing to the fighters’ exciting styles and genuine animosity as ingredients for a must-see event.
Financially, the bout represents a significant opportunity for both fighters. Diaz has found success in the boxing ring since leaving the UFC, while Poirier’s name value and fan-friendly style would likely generate substantial pay-per-view interest. The matchup could potentially rival the commercial success of other MMA-star-turned-boxer events, providing life-changing money for both veterans.
Possible Paths Forward
Several scenarios could potentially free Poirier for the Diaz matchup. The most straightforward would be the UFC granting a one-fight release, similar to what was eventually provided for Conor McGregor’s boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. However, this precedent has been rarely repeated.
Alternatively, Poirier could attempt to buy out the remaining fights on his contract, though this would require significant financial investment upfront. A third option would involve the UFC co-promoting the event or taking a percentage of the profits, though this would require White to deviate from his usual stance against crossover fights.
Conclusion: A Dream Deferred
For now, the Poirier-Diaz boxing match remains in contractual limbo, another casualty of the UFC’s firm control over fighter careers. Poirier’s revelation highlights the challenges fighters face when attempting to transition between combat sports, even after retiring from MMA competition.
As Poirier continues to navigate post-retirement life and fans maintain hope for the dream matchup, the situation serves as a reminder that in modern combat sports, contractual obligations often trump fighter freedom and fan demand. Until the UFC changes its stance or makes an exception for one of its most loyal veterans, this highly anticipated boxing match will remain exactly where it is now—a compelling “what if” in combat sports history.
Poirier-Diaz Boxing Match: FAQ
Why can’t Poirier fight Diaz in boxing?
Poirier remains under UFC contract despite retiring, and the promotion’s exclusive rights clause prevents him from competing in boxing without UFC approval.
Has this happened to other UFC fighters?
Yes, Georges St-Pierre and others have faced similar restrictions when attempting boxing matches while under UFC contract.
What would it take for the fight to happen?
Dana White would need to grant Poirier a release or special permission, which he has been historically reluctant to do for crossover fights.
Are there any exceptions to UFC’s crossover policy?
Conor McGregor received permission for the Mayweather fight, but this hasn’t become a regular practice for other fighters.
Could Poirier buy out his contract?
While theoretically possible, buying out multiple fights would be financially challenging and require UFC cooperation.
