Dustin Poirier, one of the UFC’s most beloved lightweights, has revealed that his final fight will be a trilogy bout against Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 318 on July 19 2025. The event marks the UFC’s return to New Orleans, Louisiana, after a nine-year absence, and will take place at the Smoothie King Center, a fitting stage for Poirier to close his storied career in his home state. He shared the news on The Pat McAfee Show, exciting fans for this big fight.
Poirier, known as “The Diamond,” expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to end his career where it began.
“It’s going to be my final fight,” Poirier said. “I’m going to lay my gloves down in Louisiana where it all started for me. The whole journey started there, and I’m just honored the UFC was on the same page, the state of Louisiana was on the same page to make all of this work. July 19, me and Max Holloway are going to fight, five rounds, main event, pay-per-view for his BMF title.”
He also praised Holloway, stating:
“There’s not a better guy I could think to fight in my retirement fight. He’s a legend, former champion, current BMF champion, so we’re going to put on another war.”
The five-round main event promises to be an emotional and action-packed finale for the 36-year-old star.
The Last Dance pic.twitter.com/NnGXh5yp66
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 25, 2025
A Trilogy Rooted in History
Poirier and Holloway have faced off twice before, with Poirier winning both encounters. Their first meeting at UFC 143 in February 2012 saw Poirier submit Holloway via arm-triangle choke in the first round, marking Holloway’s UFC debut. They met again in April 2019 at UFC 236, where Poirier won a unanimous decision in a thrilling interim lightweight title fight, earning Fight of the Night honors. Poirier’s record stands at 30-9 with 1 no-contest, including notable wins over Conor McGregor (twice), Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler,
Holloway, nicknamed “Blessed,” enters with a 26-8 record and holds the BMF title after a legendary last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April 2024, a fight named MMA Fighting’s 2024 Fight of the Year. The 33-year-old former featherweight champion, now permanently competing at lightweight, has landed 3457 significant strikes, the most in UFC history, with a 46% accuracy rate. His recent knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October 2024 ended a three-fight win streak, but a victory over Poirier could position him for a lightweight title shot. Holloway’s 11 knockouts tie him for fourth-most in UFC history, per Sherdog.
The BMF title, a ceremonial belt symbolizing the “baddest” fighter, adds stakes to this trilogy. Poirier previously challenged for it in July 2023, losing to Gaethje via second-round knockout at UFC 291. The fight’s significance is heightened by Poirier’s intention to retire, win or lose, and his desire to leave the gloves in the octagon in Louisiana, as he told Jim Rome.
