Dustin Poirier will close out his professional MMA career with a BMF title fight with Max Holloway at UFC 318.
This is the third time the pair has shared the UFC Octagon, with “Diamonds” winning two previous battles in 2012 and 2019 respectively.
Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier Trilogy confirms UFC 318 main event
The main event for UFC 318 has been confirmed, and the appetizing trilogy between Max Holloway and Dustin Polier will be down on July 19th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Not only is this an attractive main event, but “Diamond” and “Blessed” are the third time they’ve fought in their respective UFC careers.
The pair first fought in 2012, when it was actually Holloway’s UFC debut. The fight was featherweight, and it was Poirier who raised his hand in the first round submission victory for the Hawaiian, handing him the first loss of his career in the process.
The second Poilier vs Holloway dance took place in 2019, this time in Lightweight. This time, Holloway was on a streak of 13 battles.
Poirier once again raised his hand at UFC 236, as it was actually Holloway’s lightweight debut at UFC. This time the fight has become far away, but Poirier was made by a unanimous decision after five competitive rounds.
Poirier is 2-0 in head-to-head rivalry, but the third fight makes perfect sense. This is because both are nearing the end of the careers, especially “diamond.” In fact, Poirier revealed that this would be his farewell fight, regardless of the outcome.
Holloway was caught up in this fight after losing to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, and was knocked out for the first time in his career after trying to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion.
Poilier also lost his final battle with Pond Pound star Islam Makachev in the UFC lightweight title. Holloway vs Poirier 3 makes perfect sense in a fight that simply can’t provide. period.
Who will be the worst of them?
Children from home @dustinpoirier assignment @blessedmma For the BMF belt on his last trip to the Octagon!#ufc318 | @gnosports |Details: https://t.co/gudzvfnyaj pic.twitter.com/fdnilvrvw
– ufc (@ufc) April 25, 2025
Dustin Poilier’s retirement battle has BMF title on the line
The Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier Trilogy is not only an attractive lightweight contest, but also due to the coveted BMF title.
UFC president Dana White first created the BMF title in 2019, but only had three total fights against the coveted belt.
Both Poirier and Holloway have previously fought for the BMF title. He hit Justin Gesche on his belt back in the UFC 300 and knocked out “highlights” in the most dramatic way at the end of round five.
Gaethje held the belt before defeating Poirier in a lightweight contest at UFC 291. The only other fight with the iconic BMF belt on the line was Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in 2019.
It makes perfect sense to have a BMF title on the Holloway vs Poirier Trilogy line. Not only will Dustin Poirier defeat Max Holloway for the third time in his retirement battle, but he will also get the chance to win the BMF belt before riding to the sunset.
UFC 318 should already be a thrilling night of MMA action, and this is the only battle announced!
Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier Trilogy is on. On July 19th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Poirier’s retirement battle is the historic third battle against the UFC’s stubborn, “blessed” Holloway.
A battle in our hands in the UFC 318 main event.
