Poirier Says $20 Million Would End His Retirement
Poirier attended Gaethje’s June 15, 2026 victory at UFC White House and said a large payday would likely override a prior handshake agreement not to fight again.
yardbarker.comDustin Poirier said a $20 million payday would likely change his mind about staying retired after watching Justin Gaethje win the undisputed lightweight title at UFC White House on June 15, 2026. Poirier attended the event on the South Lawn in Washington, DC. Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by corner stoppage after four rounds and also received the one-off “Freedom” championship belt.
UFC by Paramount+ asked Poirier on site whether he would return for a trilogy bout. “Me and Justin shook hands in Vegas the last time I saw him,” Poirier said. “We watched fights by each other and we were like, let’s not do this again.
Poirier added that the agreement was binding. “He said, I’m cool with the one-on-one if you are. So I can’t, now I can’t, you know, that was man-to-man shaking hands, looking in the eyes. ” Gaethje earned $825,000 in UFC bonuses for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night, Dana White said.
The win gave Gaethje the undisputed lightweight title, the BMF title he won by knocking out Poirier at UFC 291, the interim lightweight title, and the “Freedom” belt. Poirier defeated Gaethje by fourth-round stoppage at UFC on FOX 29 in 2018. The proposed trilogy would be for the undisputed lightweight championship.
Poirier also said he would fight Nate Diaz if the UFC arranged the matchup. com reported the exchange and the attendance details.
