The UFC 318 main event is officially set: Dustin Poirier will face Max Holloway for the third time, with Holloway’s BMF title on the line. The bout is scheduled for July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana — Poirier’s home state.
Poirier, 36, announced the news during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, confirming that this will be the final fight of his storied MMA career.
“The Diamond’s” Last Dance
For Poirier, it’s a full-circle moment.
“I’m going to lay the gloves down in Louisiana, where it all started for me,” Poirier said. “The whole journey began there, and I’m honored that everything came together for this fight.”
Poirier holds a 30-9 (1 NC) professional record and is ranked No. 5 in the lightweight division. He will be stepping into the cage for one last battle, and fittingly, it will be against a familiar foe.
Holloway Looks to Even the Score
Max Holloway, 33, has tasted defeat twice at the hands of Poirier. Their first meeting came in 2012 at UFC 143, where a young Holloway made his promotional debut but lost via first-round submission.
Their second bout in 2019 at UFC 236 saw Poirier outlast Holloway over five rounds to capture the interim lightweight title, ending Holloway’s 13-fight win streak.
Now, Holloway enters this third encounter holding the ceremonial BMF belt, which he won in dramatic fashion with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
A Clash of Legends
Despite coming off a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 — the first knockout defeat of his career — Holloway remains one of the most beloved and durable fighters in MMA history.
He continues to chase greatness, this time aiming for a true run in the lightweight division after spending the majority of his career at featherweight.
“There’s not a better guy I could think to fight in my retirement fight,” Poirier said. “He’s a legend, a former undisputed champion, a current BMF champion — we’re going to put on another war.”
What’s at Stake
For Holloway, it’s a chance to defend his BMF title for the first time. For Poirier, it’s the opportunity to close his career on his own terms — against a rival, in front of his hometown crowd.
UFC 318 promises to be an emotional and action-packed night, as two future Hall of Famers meet for one final battle.
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