UFC Fans React To Retired Legend Being Officially Removed From Roster

Forbes

2 days ago

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 19: Detail view of the gloves of Dustin Poirier on the canvas after ... More the BMF championship bout during the UFC 318 event at Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
Dustin Poirier officially retired after his unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway on Saturday, July 19, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The entire event was built around Poirier's retirement fight, and the energy in the building was felt throughout the card.
We all watched Poirier's heartfelt post-fight interview and the things he's said on the Ariel Helwani show and other media, but the finality of Poirier no longer fighting in MMA hit some UFC fans when UFC Roster News posted their update on X.
This was a GIF-heavy string of reactions. There are more than 125 comments on the post, and the vast majority of them feature someone weeping.
One fan posted a GIF from Berserk with the caption, 'my favorite fighter of ALL TIME GOAT.'
Another one used a GIF from Dragon Ball to express their feelings about the situation. The GIF is of Vegeta being upset when he finds he is unable to go Super Saiyan, and he's standing dejected in the rain.
Another said, 'won't be the same without him.'
Another posted a GIF with a series of famous people crying, with Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James featured prominently.
Poirier walks away from MMA competition with a 30-10 mark with one no contest. While Poirier never won an undisputed title in the UFC, he was the interim champion. His résumé is about as Hall-of-Fame worthy as anyone who never held undisputed gold.
If you question Poirier's fitness for the Hall, I've got two words for you: 'Donald Cerrone.'
WWE fans thought that was going somewhere else. How can a fighter have these wins and not be in the UFC Hall of Fame?Dustin Poirier – 5 Biggest Wins
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: (L-R) UFC President Dana White places the interim lightweight championship ... More belt on Dustin Poirier after defeating Max Holloway in their interim lightweight championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Poirier defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in a five-round war to win the Interim Lightweight Championship. It was a rematch nearly seven years in the making and one of the best fights of 2019, earning Fight of the Night honors.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23: (R-L) Dustin Poirier points at Conor McGregor of ... More Ireland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Poirier shocked the world by becoming the first man to knock out McGregor in MMA, finishing him in the second round with a barrage of punches after crippling leg kicks set the stage.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: (L-R) Dustin Poirier punches Conor McGregor of Ireland during the UFC ... More 264 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
In their trilogy bout, Poirier earned a TKO win when McGregor suffered a broken leg at the end of Round 1. Though the ending was anticlimactic, Poirier was dominating the fight before the injury and moved to 2-1 in the rivalry. There was no doubt Poirier was going to win.NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Dustin Poirier works for a submission against Michael ... More Chandler during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
After surviving early chaos and heavy shots, Poirier submitted Chandler via rear-naked choke in Round 3. The win solidified his standing as a top contender and showcased his grit and grappling.GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 14: (L-R) Dustin Poirier defeats Justin Gaethje in their lightweight fight ... More during the UFC Fight Night event at the Gila Rivera Arena on April 14, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
In one of the wildest fights in UFC history, Poirier stopped Gaethje via TKO in Round 4 after a back-and-forth brawl filled with leg kicks, power punches, and nonstop pressure from both men. It was a turning point that launched Poirier's run to the interim belt.
Poirier established himself as a fighter's fighter and that's what fans loved most about him. I can't wait for his HOF induction. Shine bright Diamond.