Dustin Poirier slams Nate Diaz’s performance in TKO loss to Mike Perry: “I’m picking on somebody now”

Dustin Poirier wasn’t impressed one bit by Nate Diaz’s efforts in his TKO loss to Mike Perry this past Saturday.

Diaz stepped back inside the cage for the first time since 2022 to clash with Perry in the MVP MMA 1 co-main event. Perry had the Stockton native leaking blood before his corner stopped the fight after the second round. Despite the loss, Diaz doesn’t plan on hanging up his gloves.

Poirier and Diaz have traded barbs over the years after their planned 2018 clash failed to materialize. “The Diamond” suffered a hip injury, but Diaz claimed he was using an excuse to avoid their fight.

In the aftermath of MVP MMA 1, Poirier appeared on the “Deep Waters” MMA podcast to discuss the Stockton legend’s recent defeat. Poirier had no issue ripping Diaz’s performance (h/t MMAJunkie).

“We could’ve fought. He knows that. I wish he would be honest with the fans and say that he pulled out or didn’t come to terms with the UFC or whatever it was for the couple times we were supposed to fight that it never happened,” Poirier said. “But, dude, after the way he looked on Saturday night, he can’t talk right now man. You need to take a break. He needs to go get some sleep and some rest, not me. He looked like dog sh*t. He looked horrible. He looked like he didn’t want to be in there, looked like a punching bag. He looked off balance. His timing was horrible. When somebody loses, I don’t like to sh*t on them too hard, but he knows.

“It’s crazy that he’s bringing me up in a post-fight. Apparently he still wants the fight or is thinking about it. It’s just like, after a performance like that, it’s like I’m picking on somebody now if I’m chasing Nate Diaz, the way he looked. It’s like I’m picking on an easy fight, easy win. But, Nate Diaz, I will knock you clean out if we fight.”

Poirier retired from pro MMA competition after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318 back in July 2025. He had suggested a bout with Diaz under the Zuffa Boxing banner but was denied as TKO is looking to build the brand as a legitimate force in the sweet science.

Do you think Dustin Poirier will come out of retirement for a clash with Nate Diaz, or has that ship sailed? Drop a comment below.