In a night charged with emotions at UFC 318, Dustin Poirier did not achieve victory in his last fight, but his legacy transcended the result.
Poirier Says Goodbye with Honor
Poirier’s final octagon showdown, held at the Smoothie King Center, culminated in a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway. Despite the defeat, the fight was a fitting end to a 16-year professional career.The fight for the BMF title, which lasted five rounds, was full of dramatic twists. In the end, both fighters met in the center of the octagon for Holloway’s traditional exchange of blows.The three judges awarded Holloway the victory with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. After the victory, Holloway (27-8) invited any challenger for the BMF title and briefly mentioned Ilia Topuria before yielding the spotlight to Poirier (30-10).“I’m overwhelmed, to be honest,” Poirier said about the affection received during fight week. “I feel appreciated. I feel seen. I’ve never seen this from outside the fight. This week has been incredible. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana, and the company. I’m a kid living the dream here, man, throwing punches.”
Dustin PoirierHolloway fulfilled his goal of being the spoilsport.“I’m very happy,” Holloway said. Poirier can still hit hard, he said, “but he kept coming back. I came and tried to be the party pooper and the villain.”Poirier, 36, retires tied for fifth in UFC history with 22 wins. He is also tied for fourth in knockouts with 11.Poirier’s legacy includes three appearances for the undisputed title in 2019, 2021, and 2024. He was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. However, he captured an interim lightweight title in 2019, defeating Holloway by unanimous decision in a five-round classic.The trilogy fight on Saturday against Holloway, where Poirier won the first two encounters, offered everything the public expects from a Poirier fight. Holloway knocked him down with a right hand in the first few minutes, but Poirier survived and got back on his feet.Poirier entered the octagon with New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne, in a poetic gesture; Poirier, who was born and raised in Lafayette, used Lil Wayne’s song “A Milli” for his UFC debut in 2011. The UFC reorganized its schedule so that Poirier’s last fight would be held in his home state.According to UFC Stats, Holloway, from Hawaii, outstruck Poirier in total strikes, 186-114. Poirier cut Holloway under the left eye in the fourth round, but Holloway’s volume of strikes also began to take its toll at that same moment. Poirier’s movements became a bit slow at the end, although he still had enough energy to accept Holloway’s invitation to stand in the center of the octagon and throw punches at the end of the fight.It’s a great victory for Holloway, who was coming off the first knockout loss of his career against Topuria in his fight for the 145-pound title in October. UFC President Dana White said Holloway is “in a great position right now” for a possible title rematch with Topuria at 155 pounds.“Just defend that BMF title. He’s ranked number 4 in the world there,” White said. “Anything is possible for Max right now.”
Dana White
