Dustin Poirier has admitted he is "disgusted" with his performance after suffering a devastating defeat to Charles Oliveira.
'The Diamond' missed his opportunity to become UFC lightweight champion after tapping out in the third round against Oliveira at UFC 269.
Now the 32-year-old faces an uncertain future in the sport as he considers whether to continue fighting.
Poirier has now reflected on his display against the Brazilian champion and is frustrated after declaring he "underperformed" during his latest title bid.
"I feel so disgusted with myself, if I watch it I know it is going to make me feel much worse," he admitted on the MMA Hour.
"Physically I am fine but emotionally I have been better but that's life. Losing sucks especially title fights when everything felt good and I had a great training camp. Losing sucks, but I feel like underperforming hurts more than a loss.
"The second round trying to get a stand up instead of trying to use my jiu-jitsu and create space. My mindset was to try and take over in the later rounds, hindsight is a wonderful thing but I am much better than that everyone says it but I know I am.
"It just sucks man because I may never get that opportunity again to call myself world champion. I owed it to myself, this was not for the money or proving anything it was for me. I f****** fumbled man and it hurts."
Poirier began the opening round with promise despite being under pressure as he dropped his opponent within the opening thirty seconds.
But Oliveira took control on the floor in the second stanza and his dominance prevailed when he executed a rear-naked choke to submit the challenger in the third round.
Poirier and Oliveira have now been issued with medical suspensions after their battle with the pair able to return from January 11 next year.
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Despite his recent defeat Poirier has had a successful year having defeated Conor McGregor twice to assert his status as contender for his title bout.
With his latest blow concluding the year, Poirier is uncertain over his next career move in the UFC and will assess his future in the coming weeks.
"It ruins the dream outcome that I had planned to forever be a world champion after tonight, but nah, the year isn't ruined. It's just an opportunity I had is ruined," Poirier said.
"That's alright, it is what it is. I'll look in the mirror like a man. I can do anything I put my mind to, I can fight for the belt and go on another streak.
"It's just do I want to? That's the question I have to look in the mirror and answer. Do I want to do go down the road again? That answer will come in next couple days or weeks."
