In an emotional closing of his outstanding career in the UFC, Dustin Poirier did not achieve victory in his last fight, but his legacy transcends the result. Poirier’s final fight in the octagon, at UFC 318 held at the Smoothie King Center, culminated in a unanimous decision loss to former featherweight champion Max Holloway. Despite this, the fight represented a worthy farewell to his 16-year professional career. The battle for the BMF title, which spanned five rounds, was full of dramatic twists and culminated with the traditional exchange of glances between both fighters in the center of the octagon. The three judges awarded the victory to Holloway with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. After the triumph, Holloway (27-8) opened the doors to possible challengers for the BMF title and made a brief mention of the 155-pound champion, Ilia Topuria, before yielding the spotlight to Poirier (30-10).
At 36 years old, Poirier retires tied for fifth in UFC history in terms of wins, with a total of 22. He also shares fourth place on the knockout list, with 11. Poirier’s legacy includes three opportunities for the undisputed title in 2019, 2021, and 2024, although in all of them he fell short against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. However, in 2019, he conquered the interim lightweight title by defeating Holloway by unanimous decision in an epic five-round fight. The trilogy against Holloway, in which Poirier had won the previous two encounters, offered everything fans expect from a Poirier fight. Holloway knocked him down with a right hand in the first few minutes, but Poirier recovered quickly. Holloway knocked him down again in the second round, but Poirier fought back and subsequently knocked Holloway down and went for a guillotine. Poirier made his entrance to the octagon accompanied by the New Orleans rapper, Lil Wayne, in a symbolic gesture. Poirier, born and raised in Lafayette, used Lil Wayne’s song “A Milli” in 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 statistics, Holloway outstruck Poirier in total strikes, with 186-114. Poirier cut Holloway under the left eye in the fourth round, but Holloway’s volume of strikes also began to affect Poirier at that point. His movements became a bit slower at the end, although he still had enough energy to accept Holloway’s invitation to stand in the center of the octagon and exchange blows at the end of the fight. This victory is significant for Holloway, who was coming off the first knockout loss of his career against Topuria in his fight for the 145-pound title last October.Honestly, it’s been overwhelming. I feel appreciated, I feel seen. I’ve never stopped to look at this from outside the fight. This week has been incredible. I feel loved by the fans, by Louisiana, and by the company. I’m a kid living a dream, throwing punches.
Dustin Poirier
