‘I felt that’ – Dustin Poirier winces as he shows off nasty injury following return to training

Dustin Poirier broke his toe just weeks after making a return to training as speculation over his UFC return grows.

‘The Diamond’ returned to the mats at American Top Team (ATT) in February, seven months after his retirement fight at UFC 318.

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Poirier fought Max Holloway in the main event of the New Orleans card, suffering a unanimous decision defeat after five tough rounds with the BMF champion.

The 37-year-old had already announced his retirement prior to the fight, but has since admitted how badly he misses the sport in numerous hints at making a comeback to Dana White‘s promotion.

As much as he misses competing, Poirier — who has suffered various injuries, including broken ribs and a torn ACL in his illustrious 40-fight career — is already feeling the effects of getting his body back in shape.

“Broke my damn toe today,” Poirier captioned a gruesome social media video on Saturday.

“It hurt, but I’m going to do it for the damn camera,” the American can be heard saying in the video as he lifts his broken pinky toe before screaming in pain.

How likely is a Dustin Poirier return?

Members of the MMA fraternity are eager to see Poirier back in action following his return to training.

Talk of his comeback comes only four months before the UFC is expected to host a show on the South Lawn of the White House.

Responding to his injury on X, one fan wrote: “White House card, huh?”

While another said: “We need you back for the White House card, Dustin.”

Poirier was still very much in his prime when he bowed out of MMA after a defeat to Holloway.

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He entered the fight 13 months after almost going the distance with former, dominant UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev over five rounds.

The eventual submission loss to Makhachev came after an impressive stoppage win over current No. 5-ranked lightweight Benoit Saint Denis.

‘The Diamond’ has also been in there with a who’s who of MMA’s best fighters in the last five years, including Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira, and Conor McGregor.

So there’s certainly no doubt he can return to the UFC at a high level if he gets back to full fitness.

Poirier said last month that he would make a comeback if offered a trilogy bout with Gaethje.

McGregor, who is expected to make a comeback at UFC White House, has also been mentioned as a suitable opponent.

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Poirier is the last man McGregor fought, with the Irishman breaking his leg in the pair’s trilogy bout at UFC 264 five years ago.

For now, Poirier’s only involvement in the UFC will come in the form of a desk analyst, with his next appearance in Texas for UFC Houston.

Sean Strickland‘s middleweight title eliminator against Anthony Hernandez headlines the Houston show.

Dan Ige, Serghei Spivac, Ante Delija, Jacobe Smith and Michel Pereira also feature on the card.