Being retired has not stopped Dustin Poirier from facing MMA injuries.
‘The Diamond’ ended his fighting career in Louisiana at UFC 318 last July. In the pay-per-view main event, he lost to BMF champion Max Holloway, giving a valiant performance despite defeat. Fans expected him to retire after the fight in New Orleans, and he confirmed he would hang up his gloves for good.
Yet retirement has not kept Poirier off the mats at American Top Team. Even away from official competition, he has still suffered injuries while training.
returning to training comes with risks
In recent months, Poirier has hinted at a possible comeback. Fans speculate about a boxing match against Nate Diaz or a trilogy fight with interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Both would draw significant attention and could tempt ‘The Diamond’ back into the cage.
It remains unclear if his return to training ties to any fight plans. Poirier recently appeared at the American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek, Florida, sparring alongside Mateusz Gamrot. He clearly trains with full intensity, even in retirement.
broken pinky toe adds to the tally
Poirier shared on social media Saturday that he broke his pinky toe while training. This is the same toe that forced Conor McGregor to withdraw from UFC 303 in June 2024. The injury reminds fans that MMA remains physically punishing, even for retired fighters.
Judging by his past reactions, Poirier would not cancel a fight over a similar injury. When McGregor withdrew, Poirier questioned whether a pinky toe justified stepping away. “A pinky toe? I fought with so many injuries,” he told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “Like Conor said, he’s fought with so many injuries, I fought with so many injuries over the years, but a pinky toe doesn’t seem like a reason to pull out of a fight,” he added.
Poirier’s post-retirement training shows that even without official fights, MMA remains unforgiving. Injuries can strike anytime, and ‘The Diamond’ proves he faces them head-on.
