Dustin Poirier's featherweight days are over. 

The former 145-pound contender confirmed to MMAFighting.com that he has decided to resume his fighting career as a lightweight. 

"I'm big," he wrote via text message. " The cut made me hate the process of getting ready for a fight.  I was focused on how to make weight instead of how to beat my opponent.  It's sucks to drop out of the rankings, but it has to be done.  I'm 180 right now and in great shape." 

Poirier most recently lost via first-round TKO to Conor McGregor in September.  He returns to the lightweight division after going 8-3 as a featherwieght.  He did not provide any details on his next fight. 

The 25-year-old Poirier started his MMA career 8-1 as a lightweight, however, he decided to switch weight classes prior to his UFC 125 fight against Josh Grispi in 2011.  Poirier defeated Grispi via unanimous decision and subsequently won three more fights in a row before losing to Chan Sung Jung in May 2012. 

"I want to fight the fights that fans want to see," he continued. " I'm excited to reintroduce myself at a more natural weight. 



"Been a long time coming."