You’re about to explore every angle of Dustin Poirier—the southpaw Louisianan fighter who forged a 30-9-0 (1 NC) résumé, finished 23 foes and still finds time to feed thousands through The Good Fight Foundation.
From early brawls in Lafayette to a hometown BMF title shot on July 19 2025, Poirier’s journey blends knockout power, blood-and-guts rivalries and genuine philanthropy. This guide breaks down his record, fight style, latest news, charity impact and place in the UFC lightweight rankings, giving you data and storytelling you can use right now.
Table of Contents
Career snapshot & fight style
Poirier turned pro in 2009 and stormed into the UFC on January 1 2011, battering Josh Grispi for three rounds. Today, the official ledger shows Dustin Poirier record: 30 wins, nine losses and one no-contest, with 16 knockouts and seven submissions—an elite 77 % finish rate. The UFC interim champion (April 13 2019) sharpens his craft at American Top Team, where shark-tank sparring builds the gas tank his opponents dread.
Inside the cage he fights from a left-hand stance that hides a rocket-launcher rear cross and sets up crippling leg-kicks. Analysts marvel at his ability to switch mid-combination—sliding to orthodox for a surprise right hook before resetting to southpaw. He also owns a venomous snatch-guillotine that punished Anthony Pettis and Michael Chandler the moment they shot.
- High-volume jab–cross that forces a high guard.
- Shift-step hook that lands as he pivots to orthodox.
- Calf-kick that deadens footwork within minutes.
- Clinch elbows that slice when foes stall on the fence.
These weapons, combined with a measured killer instinct, earned him ten Fight-Night bonuses—proof fans pay to see his style.
Notable fights & rivalries
Poirier’s road is paved with wars that moved the lightweight division forward.
- 03/09/2024 | UFC 299 | Benoît Saint-Denis | Win (TKO R2)
- 06/01/2024 | UFC 302 | Islam Makhachev | Loss (Sub R5)
- 07/29/2023 | UFC 291 | Justin Gaethje | Loss (KO R2)
- 07/10/2021 | UFC 264 | Conor McGregor | Win (TKO inj.)
- 04/13/2019 | UFC 236 | Max Holloway | Win (UD R5)
The Conor McGregor trilogy flipped the MMA economy. After a 2014 knockout loss, Poirier crumpled McGregor with calf-kicks at UFC 257, then sealed the series when McGregor’s tibia broke at UFC 264.
His rivalry with Justin Gaethje stands 1-1; their 2018 classic and 2023 BMF head-kick finish remain highlight staples. Title bids versus Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC 242) and Islam Makhachev (UFC 302) ended in taps, yet displayed a refusal to quit under supreme pressure.
Latest news & next fight
Poirier’s most recent outing—a gritty five-round stand against Islam Makhachev on 06/01/2024—ended via D’Arce choke, prompting retirement whispers. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} Three weeks later he announced a trilogy with Max Holloway, set for UFC 318 on 07/19/2025 at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center. Promoters bill the clash as “Diamond Homecoming,” dangling the BMF belt as a final flourish rather than a conventional title shot. Sportsbooks opened with Holloway as a narrow favourite, but Louisiana action quickly nudged lines in Poirier’s direction. Camp opened in early April at American Top Team, where Poirier spars five fresh partners every five minutes to mimic Holloway’s trademark volume.
Outside the Octagon: charity & personal life
Poirier and Dustin Poirier wife Jolie launched Dustin Poirier charity arm The Good Fight Foundation in 2018, auctioning fight-worn kits to fund local playgrounds. By Thanksgiving 2023 they had distributed food to more than 500 families; their current “Knocking Out Hunger” drive has surpassed 700 000 meals.
“I’m a fighter by trade, but my purpose is bigger: I want to fight the good fight for people who can’t.”—Dustin Poirier
Married in 2009 after a middle-school courtship, the couple raise daughter Parker Noelle and, according to Jolie’s Instagram, a baby boy due later this year. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24} Outside charity, Poirier co-created a Cajun-profile hot sauce that now ships worldwide and lines grocery shelves under “Poirier’s Louisiana Style.”
Legacy, rankings & what’s next
As of May 2025 Poirier sits fifth in the official UFC lightweight rankings, behind Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26} His résumé already reads like Hall-of-Fame shorthand, but a hometown victory could elevate him into all-time lightweight short lists.
- Captured the 2019 interim belt in a five-round classic over Holloway.
- Owns wins over five former or current champions.
- Finished 23 opponents—16 KOs, seven submissions.
- Collected 10 post-fight bonuses, proving unmatched entertainment value.
- Raised millions through The Good Fight Foundation’s community work.
If Poirier defeats Holloway, he will have beaten every man ranked above him in the modern era—an accomplishment few lightweights can claim. If he loses, his combination of in-cage grit and out-of-cage altruism still secures a legacy that transcends win–loss math.
FAQ
What is Dustin Poirier record?
30-9-0 with one no-contest, featuring 23 finishes.
When is Dustin Poirier next fight?
July 19 2025 at UFC 318 in New Orleans versus Max Holloway.
Who is Dustin Poirier wife?
Jolie Poirier—charity co-founder and mother of their children.
What is Dustin Poirier charity called?
The Good Fight Foundation, a Louisiana-based 501(c)(3).
Where does Poirier rank in the lightweight division?
He is No. 5 on the May 2025 official list.
Conclusion
From gritty Lafayette gyms to the neon glare of pay-per-view, Dustin Poirier embodies the fighter-philanthropist archetype: finish fights, fund communities, keep promises. His July 19 swan song promises emotion, stakes and a final proof-of-concept for an already sterling career. If you value heart as much as hardware, bookmark this breakdown, share it with fellow fight fans, then dig deeper via our lightweight-division guide and Conor McGregor profile for context on the rivals who helped shape The Diamond.
Suggested royalty-free image: dustin-poirier-leg-kick.jpg Alt text: “Dustin Poirier lands a thudding left calf-kick in mid-fight.”
Full round-by-round stats available at Dustin Poirier’s official UFC profile here.
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