Overview

• Dustin Poirier was removed from the UFC’s active roster on July 31 after ending his 14-year fighting career three days earlier.
• On August 1, Poirier confirmed he will shift to a full-time desk-analyst role with ESPN following prior stints at UFC 287, 303 and 314.
• His retirement concludes a storied MMA tenure highlighted by landmark bouts against Max Holloway, Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
• The UFC unveiled eight new athletes to reinforce its lightweight division in the days after Poirier’s exit.
• Poirier’s move exemplifies the cycle of fighter retirements opening opportunities for fresh talent in MMA.