- The Rock admires how Dustin Poirier maintains a positive outlook following his UFC 291 loss to Justin Gaethje
- “The Diamond” couldn’t decide yet about what lies ahead of him
Dustin Poirier may have suffered a huge KO defeat to Justin Gaethje in their BMF title fight at UFC 291 this past weekend but he surely won the hearts of many avid MMA fans. Among them, was none other than WWE legend and Hollywood superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The Rock was Moved
It can be recalled that “The Diamond” delivered one of the most moving post-fight interviews in UFC history when he talked to the media after his UFC 291 loss.
“It’s heartbreaking. But I keep coming back like Pookie. It keeps calling me. I can’t stop. I might need another hit. I don’t know. I’m just taking it one day at a time, one minute at a time right now. But I’m happy right now. My life is good, my family is good, my daughter is excited for me to get home. We’re not at a funeral here. I’ve won. I’ve won life. I already won,” Poirier said.
“It just sucks, I really wanted the belt… That’s a legacy fight for my career. But it is what it is. This is fighting. There’s no sympathy, I signed up for, I know what I was getting into, and that’s why we love it, cause anything could happen,” he continued.”
Love this perspective so much 💎👏🏾
Life lessons we can pass on to our little ones. Whatever it is that you sign up for, make sure you absolutely love it because anything can happen ~ and it’s does. Love this dude.
Massive respect brother @DustinPoirier https://t.co/IlrfMvSiBE— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) July 30, 2023
Surprisingly, The Rock shared a short clip from the said post-fight presser and commended Poirier for being very optimistic despite the defeat.
“Love this perspective so much,” The Rock wrote. “Life lessons we can pass on to our little ones. Whatever it is that you sign up for, make sure you absolutely love it because anything can happen ~ and it’s does. Love this dude. Massive respect brother @DustinPoirier.”
Dustin isn’t sure about what’s next
As it stands, Poirier and Gaethje are 1-1. However, “The Diamond” bluntly admitted he is not thrilled by the idea of a trilogy match at the moment. In fact, he struggles to find motivation at this point in his career.
“Honestly, no [I’m not excited about another fight with Gaethje or any top lightweight] even this one like before this one, when they offered me Beneil, I was just like, ‘Ah, I’m not that excited about it,’” Poirier confessed.
Gaethje, meanwhile, is likely to be next in line as he waits for the outcome of the title fight rematch between Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 294.
