UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 is a highly anticipated mixed martial arts event set to take place , Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.. This monumental event is headlined by a trilogy fight between two of the sport’s most captivating figures: Max “Blessed” Holloway and Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier.
More than just a main event, this bout carries immense emotional weight as it marks Dustin Poirier’s announced retirement fight in his home state of Louisiana. He’ll be looking to cap off an incredible career with a definitive victory against a familiar foe.
Across the Octagon, Max Holloway defends his newly acquired “BMF” title, a testament to his thrilling fighting style, aiming to finally secure a win against Poirier in their third encounter and further cement his own legacy.
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UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 Viewing Information
- Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025.
- Venue: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
- Start time: 6 PM ET.
- Main Card: 10 PM ET
- Watch Live Stream: Start Watching Live Online (Available Worldwide)
UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 Event Details
Tonight, the combat sports world converges on the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, for UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3. This highly anticipated main event features a rubber match between two of the most celebrated and fan-favorite fighters in the UFC: Max “Blessed” Holloway and Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier.
This fight holds immense significance beyond just a main event. For Louisiana native Dustin Poirier (30-9), it marks his announced retirement fight, making it an emotional farewell in front of his home crowd. He’ll be looking to cap off an incredible career by defending his 2-0 lead in this storied rivalry.
Opposite him is Max Holloway (26-8), the current “BMF” title holder, fresh off a spectacular knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Holloway, who moved permanently to lightweight, aims to finally get a win over Poirier in their third encounter, consolidate his place in the 155-pound division, and become the first fighter to defend the “BMF” belt.
Their previous two encounters, a submission win for Poirier in 2012 and a thrilling unanimous decision for Poirier in 2019, showcased both men’s incredible skill and heart. This trilogy fight promises another high-octane striking battle, fueled by history, legacy, and the emotional weight of Poirier’s final walk to the Octagon.
UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 Fight Card
Here’s the full fight card for UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3, scheduled for today, Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Please note that event times are approximate and can shift based on the length of earlier fights.
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View on ESPN+ (US)
| Event Segment | Time (US Eastern) | Weight Class | Bout | Notes / Significance |
| Early Prelims | Approx. 6:15 PM ET | Women’s Flyweight | Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari | |
| Middleweight | Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey | |||
| Light Heavyweight | Ryan Spann vs. Lukasz Brzeski | |||
| Light Heavyweight | Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio | |||
| Welterweight | Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov | |||
| Prelims | Approx. 8:00 PM ET | Middleweight | Ateba Gautier vs. Robert Valentin | |
| Welterweight | Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov | |||
| Middleweight | Brendan Allen vs. Marvin Vettori | Re-booked fight | ||
| Bantamweight | Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira | |||
| Main Card | Approx. 10:00 PM ET | Lightweight | Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber | |
| Featherweight | Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull | Pitbull’s UFC debut | ||
| Welterweight | Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez | |||
| Middleweight | Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov | Co-Main Event | ||
| Lightweight | Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier | UFC “BMF” Title Bout & Dustin Poirier’s Retirement Fight |
Full Bio and Records about Holloway vs Poirier 3
Here’s a comprehensive bio and record comparison for Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, presented in a table format for clarity, ahead of their UFC 318 trilogy bout:
Max “Blessed” Holloway vs. Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier 3
| Category | Max “Blessed” Holloway | Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier |
| Nickname | “Blessed” | “The Diamond” |
| Nationality | American (Hawaiian) | American (Cajun heritage) |
| Age | 33 (Born December 4, 1991) | 36 (Born January 19, 1989) |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Height | 5′ 11″ (180 cm) | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) |
| Reach | 69″ (175 cm) | 72″ (183 cm) |
| Professional MMA Record | 26 Wins, 8 Losses, 0 Draws | 30 Wins, 9 Losses, 0 Draws (1 NC) |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 12 (46.2%) | 16 (53.3%) |
| Wins by Submission | 2 (7.7%) | 7 (23.3%) |
| Wins by Decision | 12 (46.2%) | 7 (23.3%) |
| Total Rounds Fought | 34 fights, 498 total rounds | 40 fights, 198 total rounds (UFC total) |
| UFC Debut | February 2012 (vs. Dustin Poirier) | January 2011 |
| Key UFC Stats (per minute) | SLpM: 7.16, Str. Acc: 47%, SApM: 4.76, Str. Def: 59%, TD Def: 83% | SLpM: 5.30, Str. Acc: 50%, SApM: 4.33, Str. Def: 52%, TD Def: 64% |
| Major Titles Held | Former UFC Featherweight Champion, Current UFC “BMF” Title Holder | Former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion |
| Notable Wins | Jose Aldo (x2), Brian Ortega, Frankie Edgar, Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez, Chan Sung Jung, Arnold Allen, Justin Gaethje | Max Holloway (x2), Justin Gaethje (x1), Eddie Alvarez (x1), Anthony Pettis, Conor McGregor (x2), Dan Hooker, Michael Chandler, Benoit Saint Denis |
| Notable Losses | Dustin Poirier (x2), Alexander Volkanovski (x3), Conor McGregor, Ilia Topuria | Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje (BMF), Conor McGregor (x1) |
| Career Highlights | Longest win streak in UFC featherweight history (13 fights), most significant strikes landed in UFC history. Known for his incredible volume, cardio, and durability. Recently captured the “BMF” title with a highlight-reel knockout of Justin Gaethje. | Known for his aggressive, high-pressure striking and potent boxing. A perennial contender in the lightweight division, consistently delivering “Fight of the Year” contenders. This bout is announced as his retirement fight. |
Match preview about UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3
The central narrative revolves around Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier (30-9). A beloved Louisiana native, Poirier has announced this will be his retirement fight, making his final walk to the Octagon in front of his home crowd. “The Diamond” has had an illustrious career, known for his relentless pressure, crisp boxing, and legendary wars, consistently delivering Fight of the Year contenders. While he’s captured an interim lightweight title, a unified championship has eluded him. Tonight, he aims to cap off his career with a definitive win over a familiar rival, solidifying his 2-0 lead in this trilogy.
Across from him stands Max “Blessed” Holloway (26-8), the current “BMF” (Baddest Motherf**ker) title holder. Holloway is coming off arguably the knockout of the year against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, a move that signaled his permanent commitment to the lightweight division. For Holloway, this fight is about redemption and further cementing his legacy at 155 pounds. He has openly embraced the role of “spoiler,” aiming to finally get a win over Poirier, the only fighter outside of Alexander Volkanovski who has consistently had his number in recent years. Holloway’s volume striking, incredible chin, and relentless pace are his hallmarks.
Their past encounters tell a compelling story: Poirier submitted a young Holloway at featherweight in 2012, and then won a thrilling, blood-and-guts unanimous decision in their interim lightweight title fight in 2019. Both fights showcased their incredible heart and striking prowess.
predition and conclution about UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3
Expect a highly technical and brutal striking affair. Poirier will likely look to land early, powerful shots and mix in calf kicks to slow Holloway’s movement. Holloway will aim to use his signature volume, footwork, and angles to constantly punish Poirier, chipping away round by round. The emotional factor of Poirier’s retirement in his hometown adds a massive, unpredictable element. Both men are known for their durability and willingness to stand in the pocket, so a decision is likely, but a late TKO for either is also very possible if one begins to fade.
Prediction:
This is a razor-thin fight. While Poirier has the historical advantage and the emotional push, Max Holloway’s continuous evolution, increased power at lightweight, and relentless pace might finally be enough to overcome “The Diamond.” His performance against Gaethje showcased a new level of power and willingness to take risks.
Max Holloway by Unanimous Decision. It will be a back-and-forth war, but Holloway’s volume and ability to win minutes will likely edge him the decision in a Fight of the Year contender.
Conclusion
UFC 318’s main event, Holloway vs. Poirier 3, is more than just a fight; it’s a legacy-defining moment. For Dustin Poirier, it’s the culmination of an extraordinary career, a chance to go out on his shield in front of his beloved Louisiana fans. For Max Holloway, it’s an opportunity to finally conquer the man who has twice defeated him, further legitimizing his lightweight ambitions and solidifying his status as the “BMF” champion. Regardless of who gets their hand raised, this fight promises to be an instant classic, a showcase of skill, heart, and the unwavering spirit of two of the sport’s greatest competitors. It’s a fitting send-off for one and a defining moment for the other, ensuring a memorable night for MMA fans worldwide.
