Max Holloway Spoils Dustin Poirier’s UFC 318 Farewell
On July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Max Holloway delivered a masterclass performance to defeat Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (49-47, 49-47, 48-47), retaining his coveted BMF title in one of the most emotionally charged MMA retirement fights in recent history :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Holloway scored an early knockdown in round 1 with a fierce straight right.
- Round 2 saw both fighters rocked—Poirier nearly locked in a guillotine in a dramatic momentum swing :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Holloway regained control through rounds 3–5, mixing effective leg kicks and accuracy to secure the verdict :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
🏆 BMF Title Defense & Historical Context
Holloway, now 28‑8, became the first ever fighter to successfully defend the symbolic BMF championship—having originally claimed it at UFC 300 with a dramatic last-second KO over Justin Gaethje :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
🌟 Poirier’s Legacy & Emotional Send-Off
Former interim lightweight champion Poirier (30‑10) walked out to “A Milli” with Lil Wayne, closed the trilogy, and left the Octagon for the final time—leaving behind a legendary 16‑year career rich with iconic battles against Conor McGregor, Khabib, and Gaethje :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Peers such as Islam Makhachev, Jon Jones, Anthony Pettis, and Jorge Masvidal praised Poirier’s career, calling him "one of the greats" and reiterating that “diamonds are forever” :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
📺 PPV Highlights & Undercard Results
- Paulo Costa snapped his skid, defeating Roman Kopylov.
- Daniel Rodriguez secured an upset over Kevin Holland.
- Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Michael Johnson picked up solid wins :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
🔮 What’s Next for Holloway?
Having avenged his losses to Poirier, Holloway now eyes another UFC title shot. At lightweight—and potentially featherweight—he remains one of the most dangerous and versatile fighters in the game :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
🎯 Final Take
UFC 318 delivered a powerful mix of spectacle, emotion, and legacy. Holloway’s technical precision and Poirier’s gracious farewell define this as a landmark MMA moment. It was more than a retirement fight; it was a celebration.
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