UFC, Poirier and Max Holloway
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Dustin Poirier has officially ridden off into the sunset. UFC 318 was all about "The Diamond" down in New Orleans on Saturday. The Smoothie King Center hosted the first Louisiana UFC event in over a decade to deliver the ultimate retirement send-off with Poirier's final bout, a BMF title trilogy fight against longtime rival Max Holloway.
UFC legend Dustin Poirier officially ended his career with a unanimous decision loss to BMF champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318 on Saturday night, and while he's at peace with his decision to step away,
Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) didn't get his fairytale ending after losing a unanimous decision to Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23- 8 UFC) for the BMF title in Saturday's headliner at Smoothie King Center. However, that doesn't mean that Poirier isn't grateful for the experience of having his retirement fight in his home state of Louisiana.
Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight at UFC 318 was long in the making. The buildup began with Poirier’s emotional retirement announcement during the 2025 NFL Draft, where he revealed his final fight would take place in his home state of Louisiana,
Max Holloway took advantage of his last chance to beat Dustin Poirier with a unanimous decision win over The Diamond at UFC 318 in his opponent's retirement fight in New Orleans on Saturday night.
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Holloway was arguably the most appropriate choice for Poirier's retirement fight. Holloway made his UFC debut against Poirier in 2012, and they fought for the interim lightweight title in 2019. By winning, Holloway redeemed his two prior losses to Poirier.
NEW ORLEANS – Dustin Poirier thinks Max Holloway could do better in a rematch vs. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) lost his retirement fight to BMF champion Holloway in Saturday's UFC 318 headliner at Smoothie King Center.
Dustin Poirier didn't walk out of the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans with a win Saturday, but he did leave with the respect of his peers.
Dustin Poirier officially put the gloves down inside the Octagon at UFC 318 Saturday night, marking the end of his career.
As a part of the tribute to "The Diamond," the promotion put together an incredible video titled "Paid In Full: The Dustin Poirier Story," which first played during the UFC 318 broadcast before his final fight against Max Holloway.
Poirier had his final fight on Saturday night in New Orleans, in the lightweight main event of UFC 318—a card that was built for him. His opponent was Max Holloway, a former featherweight champion he had beaten twice before, and on paper, had all the skills to beat again.