Dustin Poirier Explains Why Loss to Conor McGregor Was Turning Point

Dustin Poirier’s had extensive success since he was taken out by Conor McGregor at featherweight, and then moved up compete at 155 pounds. But, it seems clear ‘The Diamond’s’ remarkable run at lightweight isn’t solely due to the change in weight class.

Poirier discusses new outlook he had after McGregor loss

Poirier was tapped to fight McGregor back in 2014, when the latter was emerging as a star. Leading up to the fight, there was extensive speculation about whether McGregor’s rise would be halted Poirier.

But, McGregor proceeded to finish Poirier in the opening round and the veteran decided to end his run at featherweight.

Well, since then, Poirier has gone 11-2, with 1 no-contest and he’s also won the interim lightweight title during that time. As a result, ‘The Diamond’ has firmly established himself as one of the best lightweights in the game and really, of this era.

While talking with ESPN recently, Poirier pointed to his 2014 loss to McGregor, as a turning point in his career (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“It definitely started happening after the Conor McGregor loss,” Poirier said. “That was the start of it. It’s been a long process, being a father, losing again, winning some and losing again, and winning another one.

It’s just a long evolution of stop caring so much. You just stop caring about the noise and stuff that doesn’t matter. . .

“A lot of times in my younger career, I felt like it was life or death. Every comment on Instagram and Twitter, every journalist who said something, I felt like everybody was against me.

I felt like if I lost I would be written off, it’s the end of my career. I’m a bum if I lose this fight. And then you lose a few times and you’re like, ‘Oh sh*t, I can still put this back together. Oh man, I’m still providing for my family. I’m still loving what I do.’

It’s like you’ve been bent but not broken a lot of times and I feel like it made me stronger and it made me the man I am today. I’m happy. I’m genuinely happy.”

Interesting to hear

This take from Poirier is really interesting to hear and it makes sense. As noted above, there was a lot of talk and hype tied to McGregor back in 2014, and there was likely a lot of pressure on Poirier to squash that.

So, being able to rebound from that devastating loss, which came against one of the most outspoken fighters in the game, was huge. 

Poirier also rebounded and then some from a stoppage defeat to Michael Johson in 2016. Now he’s returned to the win column by defeating Dan Hooker, following Poirier’s loss to the champ Khabib Nurmagomedov last year.