Top UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier has admitted he doesn't know if he will continue fighting following his loss to Charles Oliveira last weekend.
Poirier was submitted by Oliveira in the main event of UFC 269 in Las Vegas, marking the second time he's missed out on the lightweight title.
'The Diamond' had his moments in the fight despite being choked out in the third, dropping Oliveira in the first 30 seconds of the contest.
The MMA veteran was "heartbroken" after the loss and on the verge of tears as he addressed the media following his loss.
And Poirier - who has fought in the UFC for a decade - is unsure about his fighting future as he tweeted: "Not sure what's next.."
Following his second title defeat, he said: "I worked hard to get back here to fight for another world title. Got choked out again, I'm just heartbroken really..
"It just sucks. I knew I was gonna either come out here and be the world champion or fail daring greatly, sometimes this is what happens.
"That's the fight game. I try not to sit up here at another press conference and cry in front of you guys, but I'm going to keep doing what I do.
Poirier was trying to top off an excellent 2021 campaign that saw him secure a title shot after picking up two stoppage wins against UFC star Conor McGregor.
A former interim champion, the 32-year-old earned his first shot at the lightweight belt in 2019 but was choked out by the now-retired Khabib Nurmagomedov.
His loss to Oliveira makes just the second in his last 11 UFC appearances, having defeated former champions such as Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway during that run.
And whilst remaining unsure on his next moves, the loss doesn't ruin what was an excellent year for Poirier.
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"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," he continued.
"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.
"I just need to let this pass and see what's next for me. If it's in my heart and that's what I want to do, I'll be here again fighting for another world title."
