Poirier Pitches Diaz Boxing Match to Zuffa, Gets Rejected

Dustin Poirier, the retired UFC lightweight contender, revealed that he pitched a professional boxing match against fellow former UFC fighter Nate Diaz under the new Zuffa Boxing promotion but was turned down by UFC executives. The denial, shared during a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, stems from Zuffa Boxing's desire to establish itself as a legitimate player in the professional boxing landscape without incorporating mixed martial arts crossovers.

Poirier, who retired last July at age 37 following a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway in their trilogy bout for the BMF title at UFC 318, expressed enthusiasm for transitioning to boxing as a way to extend his combat sports career. Despite hanging up his gloves from MMA, he remains bound by an active UFC contract, which limits his options for outside fights. "That's something I would like to do, man, box," Poirier said on the podcast. "I always wanted to have a couple before, you know. But I'm still under contract. Even though I'm retired, I'll still have a contract with the UFC. Trust me. I already pitched it to Zuffa. Me and Nate Diaz Zuffa Boxing. Let's go 170 whatever, 168 super middleweight, let's...