Full Breakdown
Poirier Calls Out Nate Diaz After Perry Defeat, Signals Possible Welterweight Grudge Match
5/19/2026, 11:42:28 PM
Poirier’s Callout After Diaz’s Perry Loss
In early August 2023, after Nate Diaz was stopped by Mike Perry in round 2 at MVP MMA 1 (the co-main event of the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card), former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier used his Deep Waters podcast to say he would return at 170 lb and knock Diaz out.
Rivalry Background
Poirier and Diaz were first booked for UFC 230 in 2018, a lightweight bout that was cancelled without public explanation. Since then they have traded barbs in interviews. After his loss, Diaz said he would not fight anyone who had retired, referencing Poirier’s 2022 retirement.
Fighter Records
Poirier is 30-10-0 with 16 KOs, seven submissions and 13 first-round finishes, a former interim lightweight champion. Diaz is 21-14 after the Perry defeat, known for high-volume boxing and 13 submission wins. Perry improves to 15-8 after the TKO.
Timeline
- 2018 – UFC 230 lightweight bout between Poirier and Diaz scheduled, later cancelled.
- 2022 – Poirier announces retirement from MMA.
- Early August 2023 – Diaz loses to Perry at MVP MMA 1.
- August 2023 – Poirier issues public callout on Deep Waters podcast.
Poirier’s Official Statements
Poirier said he would re-enter the UFC welterweight drug-testing protocol at 170 lb to fight Diaz, framing it as a personal grudge match rather than a title chase. He criticized Diaz for not being transparent about why the UFC 230 fight fell through and suggested Diaz needed rest after his recent loss. Poirier noted that a bout would require his release from the UFC contract, a step the promotion rarely grants.
Criticism & Opposition
Diaz, after his defeat, said he would not fight anyone who had retired, implicitly questioning Poirier’s willingness to return. He also accused Poirier of “picking on an easy fight” and argued that he needed time to recover before any further matchups. The UFC has not issued an official response regarding contract releases for either fighter.
Implications & Future Outlook
Given their popularity and long-standing rivalry, a Poirier-Diaz bout at 170 lb would be a high-profile matchup. However, the fight depends on Poirier obtaining a UFC release and Diaz securing a new UFC contract, both historically rare. Neither fighter has confirmed plans, leaving the matchup possible but uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We could have fought.” — Dustin Poirier, Fighter
- “I wish he would be honest with the fans and say he pulled out, or didn’t come to terms with the UFC, whatever it was, for the couple of times we were supposed to fight, that it never happened.” — Dustin Poirier, Fighter
- “But dude, after the way he looked on Saturday night, he can’t talk right now. He needs to take a break. He needs to go get some sleep and rest. Not me, you know. He looked like dog shit. He looked horrible. He looked like he didn’t want to be in there, looked like a punching bag, looked off balance, his timing was horrible. I mean, when somebody loses, I don’t like to shit on them too hard, but he knows. He looked horrible.” — Dustin Poirier, Fighter
- “At 170, I’ll go back in the drug test protocol or whatever. I will knock Nate Diaz completely out.” — Dustin Poirier, Fighter
- “But, Nate Diaz, I will knock you clean out if we fight.” — Dustin Poirier, Fighter
