Dustin Poirier's Head Coach Believes He Is Done After UFC 318

By Damon Martin, MMA Fighting

The stage is set for Dustin Poirier's highly anticipated swan song at UFC 318. The former interim UFC lightweight champion will face off against Max Holloway in his home state of Louisiana, a fight that promises to be an emotional and highly anticipated conclusion to Poirier's illustrious career.

Poirier, who has been open about his desire to retire after this fight, has been training for what he believes could be the final bout of his professional MMA career. His longtime head coach, Mike Brown, shares a similar sentiment, stating that it would have to be something truly remarkable for Poirier to do another fight after his trilogy against Holloway ends.

"It would have to be something pretty enticing," Brown said in an interview with MMA Fighting. "That could always happen. But I think he's content with his accomplishments and content with the money he's made and what he's done. I think it is [the final fight]."

Brown has been alongside Poirier for many of his biggest accomplishments in the sport, building a unique bond between fighter and coach that has helped shape Poirier into the fighter he is today.

"Right now, the only mission at hand is beating Holloway at UFC 318," Brown said. "But I don't think emotions come in until the fight. The fight comes and when the fight is ending, I think that's when that stuff comes. Right now it's business as usual."

The possibility of Poirier winning and finishing the fight with a guillotine choke submission has become a long-running joke in the UFC. Despite being one of the best finishers in the sport, Poirier still hasn't put anyone away with the guillotine.

"If he wins that fight and gets the guillotine choke, I think everyone would be pretty happy with that," Brown said. "That would be pretty cool. You never know. I mean people didn’t think he was going to rear-naked [choke] Michael Chandler, right? Who ain't got jiu-jitsu, right? He’s got jiu-jitsu. People sleep on it."

While Poirier's decision to retire after this fight seems settled, there are always exceptions in the world of MMA. Jones' retirement was hardly a permanent one, and Poirier will have to prove himself once again if he wants to walk away for good.

For his part, Poirier has been vocal about his desire to retire on his own terms, having made a significant amount of money throughout his career. He's had the opportunity to fight some of the best in the world and has won titles in two different weight classes.

"I've made a boatload of money," Brown said. "He doesn’t need to fight."

Poirier's upcoming fight against Holloway will be his 18th bout in the UFC, and it promises to be an emotional and highly anticipated conclusion to his career. The possibility of Poirier walking away on top, with the win and a potential guillotine choke submission, has fans excited for what could be one final swan song from "The Diamond."

"I don’t think he's going to do another fight," Brown said. "He's content with what he's done and he's happy with the money he's made."