Dustin Poirier Says UFC Blocked His Zuffa Boxing Plan With Nate Diaz
UFC veteran Dustin Poirier wanted to make his professional boxing debut against Nate Diaz. However, Dana White and Co. said no, and Poirier believes the promotion doesn’t want any UFC fighters to be a part of Zuffa Boxing.
The Louisiana native retired last year after a unanimous decision loss against Max Holloway. He now serves as a desk analyst for the UFC.
However, “The Diamond” still has fights left on his UFC contract and has shown interest in running it back with Justin Gaethje or a potential boxing match against Nate Diaz in White’s Zuffa Boxing.
Poirier and Diaz were previously set to face each other at UFC 230 in 2018. However, “The Diamond” had to withdraw due to an injury. In the years to come, despite both parties showing interest in locking horns, the bout never materialized.
Diaz bid farewell to the UFC in 2022 after a submission win against Tony Ferguson. After that, he transitioned to boxing, losing to Jake Paul before bouncing back with a win over former UFC opponent Jorge Masvidal.
The Stockton native is now scheduled to return to MMA to face Mike Perry on MVP’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on May 16, which will stream live on Netflix. Due to Diaz’s decision to fight under the MVP banner, there have been rumors lately that he may never be welcomed back to the UFC.
However, Dustin Poirier still hopes to box the 40-year-old someday.
Dustin Poirier Opens Up on Failed Zuffa Boxing Plans
On The Joe Rogan Experience, “The Diamond” told the UFC commentator that he would love to box professionally at least twice. However, he doesn’t think a potential boxing bout under the Zuffa Boxing banner against Nate Diaz is possible. Here’s why:
“I always wanted to box. I am still under contract with the UFC. I already pitched it to them. Me and Nate Diaz in Zuffa boxing, let’s go… But they don’t want any crossover. I think Zuffa wants to be taken as a serious organization. They hate money. They want to be taken seriously by the boxing world, and if you open that door of an MMA guy fighting under Zuffa Boxing, every guy on the roster, every girl on the roster is going to want to do the same. It’s just become a mess.”
Dustin Poirier also added that he would love a boxing training camp:
“Thinking about a boxing training camp with no grappling, no wrestling. Just run, condition, and box. It would be smooth sailing; I love it. I only have to box. Honestly, training camp striking and sparring are my favorite days.”
Check out Dustin Poirier’s comments below:
