UFC 318 will bring one of the most emotionally charged events of the year as two legends of the Octagon, Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway, meet in a high-stakes trilogy bout. Taking place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday, July 19, this historic fight card is the UFC’s return to Louisiana in almost a decade.
The Final Chapter: Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway Trilogy
The UFC 318 headline showdown is not only a fight between top-level competitors, it’s the final chapter in a series of blood feuds that started more than 13 years ago.
First Fight: Poirier defeated Holloway by first-round submission via triangle armbar at UFC 143 (2012).
Second Fight: They faced each other at UFC 236 (2019) where Poirier emerged victorious by a fifth-round unanimous decision, ending Holloway’s 13-fight win streak.
And now, their third and last meeting arrives with even more emotional investment in Poirier’s retirement battle and Holloway’s symbolic BMF title defense.
Dustin Poirier’s Farewell Fight in New Orleans
Fighting in front of his hometown audience, Dustin Poirier will enter the Octagon for the 42nd and last time. At age 36, Poirier is set to retire after a legendary career, including victories over Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, and Dan Hooker.
Unbeaten in Louisiana: Poirier is undefeated in his past UFC fights in Louisiana, with all stoppage victories.
Legacy on the Line: Even after losing three of his past five bouts, his return home lends an emotional weight to this swan song.
Max Holloway: Lightweight Defense of the BMF Title
Former featherweight champion and just-minted BMF (Baddest Motherf*er) titleholder Max Holloway is up for good from featherweight to lightweight.
BMF Title Defense: Holloway won the BMF belt by stopping Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Now he defends it against Poirier in what may prove to be a career-defining bout.
Lightweight Redemption: Having twice lost to Poirier, Holloway is keen to rewrite history and prove himself in a new weight division.
UFC 318: How to Watch Live
United States
Main Card Start Time: 11:30 PM ET
Platform: ESPN+ (Pay-Per-View)
PPV Price: $79.99
United Kingdom
Main Card Start Time: 4:30 AM BST (Sunday)
Broadcast: TNT Sports via Discovery+
Subscription: £30.99/month for Discovery+ Premium
Pro Tip: Abroad? Use a VPN provider such as NordVPN to evade geo-blocks and stream anywhere.
Why UFC 318 Is Unmissable
UFC 318: Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway is not just a fight, it’s a flashy cherry on top of history, a good-natured rivalry, and a show of respect. For Poirier, it is a love letter goodbye to his people. For Holloway, it is a brave jump into lightweight destruction. It is a must-watch for all MMA fans.
Full Fight Card – UFC 318
| Weight Class | Fight |
|---|---|
| Lightweight (BMF) | Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier |
| Middleweight | Paulo Costa vs Roman Kopylov |
| Welterweight | Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez |
| Featherweight | Dan Ige vs Patricio Pitbull |
| Lightweight | Michael Johnson vs Daniel Zellhuber |
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