Dustin Poirier is set to close the longest-running trilogy in UFC history when he faces Max Holloway this Saturday at UFC 318 in New Orleans. The stakes are higher than ever,not just because it’s Poirier’s retirement fight, but because the “Baddest Motherf*****” title is on the line. This time, both fighters have someone special in mind to crown the winner, Lil Wayne.
If Poirier wins, he’ll walk away from the Octagon for the final time with the BMF belt strapped around his waist. For Holloway, it’s a chance to become the first man to successfully defend the BMF title since it was created in 2019.
The belt has become a cultural symbol in the UFC, starting with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wrapping it around Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 after his win over Nate Diaz. Masvidal later passed it on to Justin Gaethje, and then UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman handed it off to Holloway after his knockout win over Gaethje in 2023.
Now, it’s Poirier and Holloway’s turn and both are campaigning for a different kind of legend to do the honors.
“Let Weezy do it,” Poirier said at the UFC 318 press conference, sparking loud cheers from the New Orleans crowd.
“I’m not going to disagree with that,” Holloway added.
Lil Wayne is more than just a fan, he’s a longtime friend of Poirier’s. The two share a bond that goes back years, with Poirier even appearing on the rapper’s podcast. That friendship will come full circle this weekend, as Wayne is set to walk Poirier out to the Octagon for his final fight, swapping out his usual James Brown walkout for Lil Wayne’s “Drop The World.”
What started as a dream is now reality for Poirier, and possibly another memory he’ll carry into retirement.
“My first fight in the UFC, I walked out to Wayne,” Poirier said. “My last fight, he’s going to walk me out. That’s crazy. That just shows you if you chase your dreams, anything’s possible.”
Even though Lil Wayne is clearly Team Poirier, Holloway still gave his full support for the rapper to wrap the belt around the waist of Saturday’s winner.
