DUSTIN POIRIER admits his fight with Benoit Saint-Denis could be his last.

The former interim lightweight champion returns to action against the ferocious Frenchman early on Sunday morning in the co-main event of UFC 299 in Miami.

Dustin Poirier returns to the octagon this weekend in the co-main event of UFC 299Credit: GETTY

The fan favourite will face ferocious Frenchman Benoit Saint-DenisCredit: GETTY

‘The Diamond’ admits his Miami melee could potentially be his last fightCredit: REUTERS

The Miami melee is seen by many as a potential changing of the guard moment in the shark tank which is the 155lbs division.

And although he has no immediate plans to call it a day after facing Saint-Denis, Poirier admits the end of his war-filled career is on the horizon.

The Lafayette leftie, 35, told TMZ: “Every fight could be it [my last]. Every fight.

“Where I’m at, 35 years old, this is my 30th fight in the UFC. Every fight could be it.”

For the first time in a long time, Poirier will be fighting someone extremely down in the rankings when he locks horns with BSD.

It’s a big risk for the title hopes of the fan favourite, who is eager to prove he can still mix it with the up-and-comers in the division.

“To test myself really,” ‘The Diamond’ said when asked why he’s taking the bout. “To see if I still got it.

“This guy is young, hungry, on a streak, has finished his last five opponents.

“That makes me nervous, so I want to toss myself in the fire.

“There’s where I feel I do my best work, and those are the kinds of fighters I want to fight.