Max Holloway Outstrikes Dustin Poirier in Epic Trilogy Finale at UFC 318. The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, was electric on Saturday night, hosting a stacked UFC 318 card that delivered violence, heart, and legacy.
On a night drenched in legacy and emotion, Max “Blessed” Holloway and Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier gave fans one more war, a final dance for the BMF title inside the Smoothie King Center, New Orleans. And when the dust settled, it was Holloway whose hand was raised, but both men left as champions in the eyes of the fight world.
Before stepping into the cage Saturday night, Holloway was riding a powerful wave, a career-defining KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April 2024, which not only earned him knockout-of-the-year chatter but also the symbolic BMF belt . That iconic, last-second blast reminded everyone he could still bring the heat. Even after suffering a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. In October 2024, Holloway bounced back, confirming his move to permanent lightweight to chase new challenges .
For Dustin Poirier, It’s more than just a belt this time , it’s Poirier’s final UFC fight, and he went out with fireworks. Before stepping into the octagon for what he called “the final one” . Dustin Poiroir had already lived a full fighting life. His journey back to this trilogy fight began with a knockout win over Benoît Saint-Denis in March 2024, his first KO since 2022, and yet another piece of evidence he wasn’t done . But two title-fight losses loomed. He fell short via submission to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June and had previously been knocked out by Justin Gaethje in July 2023 . And with clear eyes, Poirier admitted this was his final UFC fight, a last chance to crown an illustrious career .
With both coming off impressive wins-Holloway’s last-second KO and Poirier’s comeback TKO, this trilogy clash carried more weight than their previous two encounters. For Holloway, it was about redemption and legacy, for Poirier it was about closing his UFC chapter with another signature moment
Holloway wasted no time setting the tone, landing a sharp straight punch that clipped Poirier clean and sent him crashing to the mat. He followed up with a flurry of ground-and-pound, but stayed composed, making sure not to blow out his gas tank while chasing the finish. Poirier recovered well, but it was clear Holloway’s power was a real threat now that he’s fully settled into the lightweight division. Every time Poirier tried to step forward and take control, Holloway timed a kick perfectly to keep him at bay.
It wasn’t until round two that Poirier started to find his rhythm, slipping a crisp left hand through Holloway’s guard and sneaking in a knee up the middle that seemed to land flush on the chin. But Holloway didn’t back off, nstead, he came forward with a blistering three-piece combo that rocked Poirier and forced him toward the fence.
Holloway poured it on, nearly putting Poirier away, but the former interim champ stayed in the fight, constantly scrambling to survive. Back on the feet, Poirier fired back with a sharp series of punches and another knee that looked like it wobbled Max. Then out of nowhere, Poirier surged and scored a knockdown of his own. He jumped on a guillotine choke, but Holloway managed to escape just as the wild round came to an end.
In round three, Holloway started targeting the body with kicks, while Poirier launched straight rights down the pipe. Holloway cracked him again with a flurry, forcing Poirier to retreat after eating several clean shots. Max kept circling and peppering Poirier with fast combinations. That pushed Poirier to go all in, charging forward with bombs, hoping for the knockout. Still, Holloway’s output didn’t slow. He kept landing volume while Poirier kept stepping into the fire and throwing back.
With just five minutes left in his career, Poirier threw everything he had at Holloway, refusing to back down. But Holloway stayed focused on ripping the body, trying to wear him down as the war raged on. A crushing body kick followed by two stiff right hands had Poirier stumbling back. Holloway then blasted a left hook, and with 10 seconds left, he pointed to the canvas inviting one final exchange. Both men let their hands go, trading bombs until the final horn.
“It’s been overwhelming, honestly,” Poirier told ESPN broadcaster Daniel Cormier after the fight. “I feel appreciated and seen. … It’s been incredible. I didn’t know I touched as many people as I did while I was chasing my dream.”
The UFC played a tribute video after the fight, the UFC honored the Louisiana native with a tribute video filled with career highlights and heartfelt messages from fellow fighters. Poirier took his gloves off for the final time and left them in the middle of the octagon before acknowledging his family and fans as Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played throughout the Smoothie King Center.
In a sport defined by grit and glory, Dustin Poirier walked away not just as a warrior, but as a symbol of heart, humility, and perseverance. His legacy will echo far beyond the Octagon
