Dustin Poirier's retirement fight at UFC 318 ended in a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway, marking the end of a legendary career. The bout at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a back-and-forth contest, with Poirier showing his resilience and skill despite the defeat. As much as the UFC 318 crowd was pulling for the retiring Poirier, Holloway retained his "BMF" title, and Poirier bid an emotional farewell to the sport he loved.
The former UFC featherweight champion defeated Poirier by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) on Saturday, spoiling the final fight of his opponent's legendary career in Poirier's home state of Louisiana. The win closes out a trilogy in which Poirier beat Holloway two previous times.
Holloway, who planted a flag in UFC history with his legendary 2024 BMF title win, maintained a consistent but by no means overwhelming advantage while the pair were both standing up, and that's how both men wanted to fight. The respect between the two was obvious, and well-earned.
The fight was a layup for the UFC. Poirier, one of the most beloved fighters in the sport's history. Holloway, a popular former champ making his way into the lightweight division. Two future UFC Hall of Famers, with a history together. Two famously entertaining fighters, tailor-made for a belt the UFC likes to trot out in situations exactly like this one. The chance to end Poirier's career with a true fireworks show. They obliged.
Holloway took the first round after knocking down Poirier and seemed on the verge of victory again at times in the second. However, Poirier completely flipped the momentum when he stunned Holloway, then jumped his trademark guillotine to take complete control.
Unfortunately, the round ended 15 seconds later, but not before the crowd had completely awakened.
Holloway recovered to deliver more of the same in the third and fourth rounds, with some all-time striking on display. Poirier appeared to pick up momentum as the fight went on, in service of a comeback that might have needed a finish given what was likely on the scorecards.
Holloway tried to end the fifth the same way he slept Justin Gaethje, inviting Poirier into the center-Octagon phone booth. There was no berserk knockout here, but it still was the perfect end for Poirier, win or lose.
Once the fight was over, Holloway stood for the victory interview with ESPN's Daniel Cormier, then left as quickly as he could. Holloway cut off Cormier's first question, apologized to the crowd for beating their favorite and invited more fighters to come for the BMF title (with a hint toward his "history" with new lightweight champ Ilia Topuria), then said he was done talking and yielded the floor to Poirier.
After Poirier's first answer, Holloway jumped back in to scold the crowd for not properly cheering their native son.
A louder and longer ovation followed, with Poirier unpacking his experience from a week devoted almost entirely to him: "It's been overwhelming, honestly. I feel appreciated, I feel seen. I've never got to step outside a fight and look at it this way ... but this week was unbelievable. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana and the company. It's been incredible. I didn't know I touched as many people as I did just by chasing my dreams."
The UFC followed with a tribute video that brought Poirier to tears. As is tradition, he removed his gloves and exited the Octagon to Frank Sinatra's "My Way." He took a very long time to reach the locker room, embracing as many people as he could after his final time on that side of the cage.
Here are full UFC 318 results and highlights below, including Uncrowned's round-by-round play-by-play for the final seven bouts of the night.
Main Card
BMF championship: Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Middleweight: Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Welterweight: Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims
Bantamweight: Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Welterweight: Nikolay Veretinnikov def. Francisco Prado via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier def. Robert Valentin via TKO (punches) at 1:08 of R1.
Early prelims
Welterweight: Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt via TKO (punches) at 4:06 of R1.
Light heavyweight: Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio via submission (armbar) at 4:42 of R1.
Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Lukasz Brzeski via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:27 of R1.
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey via submission (armbar) at 3:35 of R1.
Women's flyweight: Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari via TKO (knee and punches) at 1:30 of R3.
