UFC 318 will culminate with the trilogy fight between Max Holloway and the retiring Dustin Poirier for Holloway’s “BMF” title on Saturday in New Orleans.
Holloway (26-8 MMA) and Poirier (30-9, 1 NC) previously fought in 2012 and 2019, with Poirier winning both fights. The most recent meeting saw Poirier win a unanimous decision for the UFC interim lightweight championship in one of the promotion’s most talked-about fights.
Shifting to the trilogy fight, it’s Poirier’s final UFC fight, and the Smoothie King Center will play host to the festivities. It is Poirier’s first fight in his home state in a decade, which means a great deal to the 36-year-old.
“If you chase your dreams, anything is possible,” Poirier said.
Poirier confirmed rapper and New Orleans icon Lil Wayne will be part of his entrance for the fight, revealing that with a win, he wants Wayne to be part of the belt presentation ceremony.
Holloway, despite being from Hawaii, wants the same treatment.
Holloway showed mutual respect toward his rival but said he is embracing the role of fighting in enemy territory.
“It’s gonna be a fun one, man,” Holloway said. “It’s gonna be a fun one. It’s his last dance … Bring out more of the boos, please. That’s what I like to hear.”
Holloway has held the symbolic “BMF” title since UFC 300, when he knocked out Justin Gaethje.
Neither fighter offered an exact prediction for the fight, but did say that they hope to put on one of the best fights in recent memory, similar to their April 2019 encounter.
Nevertheless, Holloway-Poirier 3 tops a 14-fight card with main card festivities getting underway on ESPN+ pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Below is the bout order (subject to change):
Main card (Start time 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)
–Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier, lightweight — Holloway’s “BMF” title
–Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov, middleweight
–Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, welterweight
–Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, featherweight
–Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber, lightweight
–Field Level Media
