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Dustin Poirier seems intent on making money and getting out of the UFC. After completing his trilogy with Conor McGregor and even claiming once that he doesn't like fighting anymore, 'The Diamond' is currently engaging in a war of words with Nate Diaz on Twitter.
Poirier, who started his UFC career at featherweight, hasn't found it easy to make the lightweight limit in the recent past. He looked fatigued and painfully lean during his second meeting with McGregor, and even tried to coax the Irishman into competing at welterweight for the trilogy.
It seems inevitable that Poirier will finish his UFC career at welterweight as his body gradually refuses to go through the strain of cutting to 155 lbs. In fact, depending on the outcome of his lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira later this year, we could see him compete at 170 lbs even as early as next year.
Here are the five toughest fights for Dustin Poirier if he moves up to welterweight, where he will undoubtedly have some big-money fights waiting for him.
#5 UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque
Vicente Luque is on a tear in the UFC welterweight division and is probably only one win away from a shot at the title. 'The Silent Assassin' has lost only to Leon Edwards and Stephen Thompson since December 2015, and is on a four-fight win streak at the moment.
As one of the most well-rounded fighters at welterweight, Luque could prove to be a stern test for Dustin Poirier. Not only is the Brazilian a dangerous striker with explosiveness and power, but he is also extremely durable and skilled on the ground. He has beaten fighters like Niko Price, Tyron Woodley and Michael Chiesa at their own game, and promises entertainment each time he steps into the octagon.
Poirier vs Luque would be an absolute barn-burner, with both fighters having a propensity to be sucked into a war. Remarkably, despite featuring two Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, this fight probably won't even touch the mat.
#4 UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal
Dustin Poirier would probably never fight his American Top Team teammate Jorge Masvidal. If the two men did square off in the octagon, though, fireworks would be guaranteed.
Poirier and Masvidal are two of the best boxers in the UFC, with exceptional combinations complemented by power and accuracy. Both have rarely been outboxed in the UFC, and most of their losses have come by other methods.
Can Poirier push the relentless pace he usually does against Masvidal? Can he rattle 'Gamebred', who has one of the best chins in the UFC and can take a clean shot or two? Masvidal certainly wouldn't falter despite Poirier's pressure, and a straight boxing match could go either way in all honesty.
#3 Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson
One of the most unique fighters in the UFC, Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson has proved to be an unsolvable puzzle. A master of karate and kickboxing, he has used his kicks, understanding of range and angles to outpoint some of the best in the business.
Dustin Poirier is a talented striker in his own right, but he may run into an entirely different challenge in Thompson. He will have to somehow close the distance, which is something very few people have been able to do against 'Wonderboy'. Thompson also has excellent takedown defense, even if it didn't hold up against Gilbert Burns, and would probably be able to keep a potential fight against Poirier standing.
Poirier isn't the kind of fighter who can engage from a distance. He prefers to trade away in the pocket, where he can use his killer instincts and combos to wreak havoc. 'Wonderboy' could be the perfect antithesis to his style.
#2 UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman would be one of the toughest fights for anyone in the welterweight division. He is well on his way to becoming the greatest of all time, having racked up a few title defenses in dominant fashion while staying remarkably active for a champion.
Usman is rapidly plugging the few holes in his game. His striking has advanced by an insane amount over the last few years, while his wrestling is up there with the best in the UFC.
Dustin Poirier is a technically superior striker, with his flowing style in stark contrast to Usman's relatively stiff movements. But Poirier would be up against Usman's fearsome power, which would be a massive equalizer. The Louisiana native is no stranger to being caught, and a flush punch from 'The Nigerian Nightmare' might put his lights out in a flash.
Usman would be an incredibly stiff challenge for Poirier to overcome in the UFC's welterweight division.
#1 Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington
This is a fight that has been brewing for some time now. Ever since Colby Covington left American Top Team, Dustin Poirier hasn't minced words while describing his former teammate. And recently, the duo have been trading barbs on social media.
Talk aside, Covington is probably Poirier's worst match-up at welterweight. 'Chaos' has everything he needs to counter 'The Diamond'.
Covington is absolutely relentless with his forward pressure, and Poirier probably won't be the one pushing the pace like he usually is. The former interim UFC welterweight champion is also an accomplished wrestler who has managed to smother most of his competition in the octagon.
Covington's slight susceptibility to the guillotine is well-documented, and Poirier does boast of a mean guillotine. But 'The Diamond' would have to fight his heart out to beat an extremely tenacious, complete fighter in Covington.
