Dustin Poirier makes his final walk to the Octagon at UFC 318 on Saturday night.
Closing out his iconic career in his native New Orleans, ‘The Diamond’ headlines the evening’s pay-per-view festivities opposite a man he’s already shared the cage with twice before — Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ has called to Poirier twice before, but the Hawaiian is determined to finally break through and get a big win over the former interim lightweight champion, effectively spoiling Poirier’s MMA swan song in enemy territory.
Round 1
Poirier throws a right early, and Holloway fires one right back. Holloway throws upstairs before ripping to the body of Poirier. Holloway gets his kicking game going, targeting Poirier’s midsection. Holloway throws a one-two that connects, sending Poirier to the canvas. Holloway swarms, but Poirier recovers and gets back to his feet. Holloway fires another kick to Poirier’s body. Poirier comes back with a combination, punctuated by an uppercut.
Holloway throws a spinning back kick as Poirier tries to punch his way inside. Holloway throws another as Poirier circles away. Holloway throws a looping right hand, but it fails to get through Poirier’s left guard. Holloway lands a straight right to the body. Thus far, it’s been all Holloway as Poirier struggles to get his offense going in the first.
Round 2
Poirier gets on his front foot in the second round, but Holloway is doing a good job of mixing up his strikes. Poirier lands a stinging left hand that gets ‘Blessed’ to back up. Poirier connects with a jab as Holloway continues to target the body. Poirier is starting to find a home for his jab, but Holloway throws a three-piece that has Poirier rocked. Holloway smells blood in the water and moves in, landing shots against the fence.
Poirier goes down, and Holloway follows, landing some ground strikes before getting caught up in Poirier’s butterfly guard. The crowd gets behind Poirier, and Holloway welcomes him back to his feet. Poirier lands a combination almost immediately, sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Poirier lands a shot to the body, followed by a big jab. Poirier connects with a right that puts Holloway on the mat, and the crowd is going crazy.
Poirier gets on top and drops a few shots, but the round comes to an end before he can take advantage of the position.
Round 3
After all the excitement of the second round, both fighters are slow to throw in the third. Poirier attempts to catch Holloway moving in. ‘Blessed’ throws a big right, but Poirier moves his head off the centerline just in time. Poirier lands a jab, but eats a front kick to the body. Poirier is starting to sit down on his strikes and lean heavily on his jab. Holloway offers up another spinning back kick to the body.
Holloway and Poirier are trading shots, but ‘Blessed’ gets the best of the exchanges, landing a lunging combination followed by a high kick. Poirier appears to be struggling with his right eye due to an eye poke, but he declines to pause the action. Poirier throws a big left hand, followed by a jab. Poirier goes to the body, but eats a thudding body kick from Holloway just before the end of the round.
Round 4
Poirier continues to pump the jab. Holloway gives him one right back, doubling up on the jab. Poirier is having some trouble tracking Holloway. Poirier throws to the body and eats a combination from Holloway. ‘The Diamond’ comes right back with a combination of his own. They’re going back and forth with each other as we reach the halfway point of the penultimate round.
Poirier looks for a right hand, and Holloway counters it with a knee to the body. Holloway lands a body kick, but Poirier catches it. Poirier lands a big left hand. Holloway appears to be the fresher fighter, putting together combinations as Poirier lands one shot at a time. Poirier glances up at the clock and nearly gets caught with another spinning back kick. Poirier lands with a late right hand before heading back to his corner.
Round 5
Holloway comes out and gets busy right away, landing an early combination and staying light on his feet. Poirier is trying to walk down Holloway, but each time he gets close, he’s met with a slew of strikes. Poirier lands with a right hand before doubling up on his jab. Holloway goes back to the body, but Poirier counters with a right to the chin. Poirier with another stuff jab.
Poirier eats a brutal body kick as we hit the halfway point of the round. Poirier lands with a short shot, followed by a straight left. Poirier with a right hand, but Holloway counters with a left. Poirier fires a left of his own. Holloway with a body kick and a right hand. Things are starting to get intense as we reach the final minute in Poirier’s mixed martial arts career. Poirier is trying to slug his way inside, but Holloway is fending him off.
As expected, Holloway goes off in the final 10 seconds, and the fight ends with both fighters standing toe-to-toe.
Official Result: Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) to retain the BMF championship.
Check Out Highlights From Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 318:
The last walk for the Louisiana legend
[ #UFC318 | @DustinPoirier ] pic.twitter.com/tfFQoUgv1W
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
MAX HOLLOWAY DROPS DUSTIN POIRIER IN THE FIRST ROUND! #UFC318pic.twitter.com/uHzHbp3BBS
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 20, 2025
DUSTIN POIRIER DROPS MAX HOLLOWAY AND JUMPS THE GILLY!!! #UFC318pic.twitter.com/JcTvQPcZa2
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 20, 2025
MAX HOLLOWAY POINTS TO THE GROUND AND STANDS AND BANGS WITH DUSTIN POIRIER TO END THE FIGHT
LEGENDARY! #UFC318pic.twitter.com/rwzQbh4VD9
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 20, 2025
FOREVER LINKED @BlessedMMA & @DustinPoirier go the distance at #UFC318! pic.twitter.com/j2o03hFE3G
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
Dustin Poirier is officially retired #UFC318pic.twitter.com/AkapyBAO0e
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 20, 2025
