Dustin Poirier concluded his career as a UFC fighter on his terms Saturday night.
Poirier was cheered and celebrated before the UFC 318 main event fight against Max Holloway.
The two future UFC Hall of Famers have a long history with each other. The two fighters originally met in 2012 and each of their two previous fights had gone in Poirier’s favor. He fell short in his quest to sweep the trilogy.
“It’s been overwhelming, honestly,” Poirier told ESPN broadcaster Daniel Cormier after the fight. “I feel appreciated and seen. … It’s been incredible. I didn’t know I touched as many people as I did while I was chasing my dream.”
The UFC played a tribute video for the Louisiana native after the fight, which showed highlights and comments from his peers.
Poirier took his gloves off for the final time and left them in the middle of the octagon before acknowledging his family and fans as Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ played throughout the Smoothie King Center.
Poirier was still able to fight and compete at a high level despite losing his final two fights. Before his fight against Holloway, Poirier took lightweight champion Islam Makhachev into the fifth round of a title bout before submitting to a D’Arce Choke on the ground on June 1, 2024.
The former interim UFC lightweight champion ends his career with a 30-10 overall record (one no contest).
Check out highlights and analysis from UFC 318:
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier highlights
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier result
Holloway is the favorite despite losing the first two fights in the series against Poirier. It’s expected to be Poirier’s final fight in the UFC. The main event is scheduled as a five-round fight with the BMF Championship on the line.
Round 1: Holloway landed a shot that knocked Poirier down twice in the middle of the first round. Poirier did manage to react and recover from the fall to stay competitive in the round.
Round 2: Holloway delivered a combination of strikes that had Poirier in trouble and brought him down to the mat. Holloway was successful as the more aggressive fighter, but Poirier managed to work his way back up to his feet. Poirier landed a strike in the final minute of the round that rattled and left a cut under the right eye of Holloway. Poirier attempted a guillotine choke, but Holloway managed to avoid further damage as the clock expired.
Round 3: Poirier had a cut near his left eye on what appeared to be an accidental scratch by Holloway. The referee asked if he needed to pause the fight, but Poirier waved it off.
Round 4: Poirier looked to pick up the pace in the middle of the round. Holloway did not shy away from Poirier, landing more significant strikes and successful combinations.
Round 5: Holloway and Poirier continued to go back and forth throughout the round that followed suit with the rest of the fight. Both men continue to land strong strikes to the face of the other, which sends the other back briefly. The fight was briefly stopped after Holloway accidentally poked Poirier’s eye. Poirier appeared to pause in the final seconds of the fight as if he was taking in the moment before Holloway sent out a flurry of strikes to close out the remaining time on the clock.
The two embrace at the end of the fight and Holloway kisses the forehead of Poirier.
Holloway was declared the winner by unanimous decision and retains the BMF Championship.
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov result
The middleweight fight was originally scheduled for UFC 317 but was moved to UFC 318 after Costa was unable to fight due to an illness.
Round 1: Costa immediately rushed toward Kopylov to get the early advantage. Costa landed nearly four times (41-11) as many significant strikes compared to Kopylov. Costa used his legs as part of his offensive attack, outstriking his opponent 10-2. Kopylov was left bloodied after the first round.
Round 2: Costa continues to mix up his offensive strategy while Kopylov appeared hesitant to show much offense of his own. Costa earned the second round after delivering more blows to the head and body of Kopylov, who entered the fight as the favorite.
Round 3: Kopylov landed a strong blow in the middle of the round that may have briefly rattled Costa, but he showed little follow-through to take full advantage. Costa took Kopylov’s best shot and survived.
The fight goes the distance and Costa earns the unanimous decision victory. Costa calls Khamzat Chimaev a coward after his victory.
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez result
Both landed 32 significant strikes in the first round, including one that presumably provided Holland with a cut under his left eye.
Rodriguez controlled the second round after delivering a left-handed jab to Holland’s jaw in the early moments. The hit sent Holland stumbling back and left him rattled. Rodriguez would allow Holland to get back up on his feet shortly after but knocked him back down. Rodriguez decided to stay on top of Holland, despite Rodriguez’s corner telling him to let Holland get back to his feet.
While Rodriguez may have earned the second round, he did show some signs of fatigue.
Both men gave it their all in the third round, with Holland landing several significant strikes that left Rodriguez dazed and hurting. Rodriguez managed to overcome the assault and mounted Holland to take control of the final minute of the round. Rodriguez earned the unanimous decision victory in a bout that has ‘Fight of the Night’ potential. Rodriguez has won his last three fights.
Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull result
Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire was in complete control of the fight against Dan Ige after the first two rounds. Pitbull had a convincing second-round performance that sent a bloodied Ige walking back to his corner. With a sense of desperation to get back into the fight, Ige delivered a knee to the face of Pitbull in the early seconds of the third round. While the strike did leave Pitbull rattled momentarily, he managed to recover and overcome Ige’s best round of the night. Pitbull earned his first UFC victory by unanimous decision.
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber result
Michael Johnson had something to prove as the older of the two fighters in the main card opener. He earned a unanimous decision victory and told ESPN broadcaster Daniel Cormier after the fight that he delivered some ‘humble pie’ to the younger Daniel Zellhuber. Johnson has won his last three fights, including two by unanimous decision.
Vinicius Oliveira vs. Kyler Phillips result
Vinicius Oliveira earned a victory after outworking Kyler Phillips in a fight that went the distance. Oliveira extends his win streak to six, despite getting into some trouble during the fight while going right after Phillips, who connected with a massive right hand that sent Oliveira stumbling. Oliveira managed to recover and regain control of the fight.
Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen result
Brendan Allen bloodied Marvin Vettori before earning a unanimous decision victory. Allen improves to 25-7 in his career and bounces back after back-to-back losses.
Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov result
Nikolay Veretennikov managed to pull out a victory over Francisco Prado by split decision. Many on social media believe Prado was ‘robbed’ of the victory, but the judges scored the fight 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in favor of Veretennikov. The welterweight fight was the first to go the distance on Saturday. It was Veretennikov’s first UFC win in three appearances.
Ateba Gautier vs. Robert Valentin result
The early finishes have continued to be the theme throughout the early part of the event.
Ateba Gautier won the opening match of the prelim action over Robert Valentin.
Islam Dulatov vs. Adam Fugitt result
The UFC has already seen four fights end in the first round tonight. Islam Dulatov provided the latest after he got the best of Adam Fugitt in the final minute of the first round. Dulatov delivered a left-handed strike and a quick combination that forced the referee to stop the fight.
Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio result
Jimmy Crute earned a first-round submission victory against Marcin Prachnio. It was the third match on the early prelim card to finish in the opening round.
Ryan Spann vs. Łukasz Brzeski result
Ryan Spann made quick work of Łukasz Brzeski with a first-round submission victory.
Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey result
Brunno Ferreira forced Jackson McVey to tap after applying a hold on his arm in the first round. Ferreira took advantage of McVey on the ground before managing to roll him over and lock in the submission.
Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari result
Carli Judice was victorious in her home state of Louisiana with a knockout victory against Nicolle Caliari.
UFC 318: Time, PPV, streaming for Holloway vs Poirier
The highly anticipated clash between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier will take place on Saturday, June 28 and can be purchased on ESPN+ PPV.
Date: Saturday, July 19
Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
Early prelims start time: 6 p.m. ET
Early prelims card TV: ESPN 2; Early prelims stream: ESPN+, Disney+
Prelims card start time: 8 p.m. ET
Prelims card TV: ESPN; Prelims stream: ESPN+, Disney+
Main card start time: 10 p.m. ET
Main card stream: ESPN+ PPV
Catch UFC action with an ESPN+ subscription
UFC 318 preliminary and main card start times
Early prelims: 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, Disney+)
Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+)
Main card: 10 p.m. ET (PPV on ESPN+)
UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier full card
Fight card according to ESPN.
Main Card
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull Freire
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Prelims
Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira
Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen
Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov
Ateba Gautier vs. Robert Valentin
Early prelims
Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov
Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio
Ryan Spann vs. Łukasz Brzeski
Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey
Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari
UFC 318: Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier predictions
BetMGM: Poirier wins by submission
Anatoly Pimentel writes: “I predict that this match will be a submission victory for Poirier because I believe that he’ll utilize his grappling skills against Holloway, despite an expected war in the striking department. This is something that Poirier did during his first match against Holloway, and scored a first-round submission win.”
NYSafeBets: Holloway by decision
The site writes: “This fight is a razor-close matchup between two elite veterans, but the edge leans slightly toward Holloway. … Unless Poirier lands a fight-changing left hand, Holloway’s pace, jab, and durability should edge him ahead across five rounds.”
Sidekickboxing: Holloway by decision in a close fight
The site writes: “This fight is as close to a coin flip as it gets. Poirier’s 2-0 lead in the series is real, but this version of Holloway—now confident at lightweight and coming off a historic finish—has both the momentum and tools to finally flip the script. If he can survive the early power and ramp up his output late, Max has a path to victory through volume, control, and cage generalship. Expect a razor-close contest, but Holloway may edge it by split decision and capture a meaningful win in this long-running trilogy.”
UFC 318 odds: Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier fight card
Fight card according to ESPN and all odds via BetMGM.
(Odds as of Thursday)
Main Card
Max Holloway (-140) vs. Dustin Poirier (+115)
Paulo Costa (+190) vs. Roman Kopylov (-235)
Kevin Holland (-500) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (+360)
Dan Ige (-220) vs. Patricio Pitbull Freire (+180)
Michael Johnson (+425) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (-600)
Prelims
Kyler Phillips (+125) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (-155)
Marvin Vettori (+165) vs. Brendan Allen (-200)
Francisco Prado (-150) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (+125)
Ateba Gautier (-550) vs. Robert Valentin (+400)
Early prelims
Adam Fugitt (+425) vs. Islam Dulatov (-600)
Jimmy Crute (-325) vs. Marcin Prachnio (+260)
Ryan Spann (-225) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (+185)
Brunno Ferreira (-600) vs. Jackson McVey (+425)
Carli Judice (-350) vs. Nicolle Caliari (+275)
UFC 318 live stream
The Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier early prelims and prelims fight will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+, while the main card will be streamed on ESPN Pay-Per-View.
UFC 318 price
UFC events are available to ESPN+ subscribers. The cost of the service is $10.99 a month or $109.99 for the year. The PPV is available for an additional $79.99.