Dustin Poirier has commented on his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC 242 main event in Abu Dhabi last Saturday, calling the loss one of the most difficult things he has had to digest during his mixed martial arts career.

Poirier succumbed to a third round rear-naked choke submission to the undefeated Russian to suffer his first defeat since flash knockout at the hands of Michael Johnson in 2016, but despite losing high profile bouts in the past to Johnson and, before that, Conor McGregor, Poirier took to social media on Monday to explain exactly how much this particular loss stings.

“Didn’t get the result I wanted Saturday,” Poirier wrote. “This is what happens sometimes when you’re chasing greatness. I gave this my all. I’m down but not out. Thank you for the kind messages and support. It means the world to me. This one really hurts. It’s a hurt that I’m very familiar with…”

Didn’t get the result I wanted Saturday. This is what happens sometimes when you’re chasing greatness. I gave this my all. I’m down but not out

Thank you for the kind messages and support. It means the world to me. This one really hurts. It’s a hurt that im very familiar with… pic.twitter.com/z8QCWeABdY

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 9, 2019

On Sunday Poirier hinted on his Instagram Story that he was contemplating retirement, saying: “Thank you guys for the support. It means a lot to me. If I choose to fight again, I’ll be back strong. If not, I’ll see what God has in store for me. Thank you.”

Veteran fight fans will know better than to bank too heavily on statements like these made after fights. Poirier is still clearly one of the most potent threats at 155-pounds, not to mention the author of some of the division’s most entertaining fights.