logo
Max Holloway retains UFC BMF title, spoils Dustin Poirier's retirement fight

Max Holloway retains UFC BMF title, spoils Dustin Poirier's retirement fight

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Max Holloway said he wanted to play spoiler and he did it Saturday night in the main event.
Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier in a unanimous decision to retain the UFC BMF Championship in UFC 318 at the Smoothie King Center.
The win for Holloway is the first in three fights against Poirier, who beat him in 2012 and 2019.
Holloway (28-8) retained his BMF title after landing 98 more strikes (201-109) and landing 53% of his significant strikes.
Fighting against a partisan Louisiana crowd for the native son Poirier in his retirement match, Holloway was the quicker fighter for the entire match, knocking Poirier off his feet early in the first round.
In the second, another flurry of combinations put Poirier on the mat again, followed by two minutes of dominant grappling.
Poirier's best chance came in the last 30 seconds of the second round, getting Holloway on the ground with a chokehold and several ground punches before the round ended.
The loss ends a brilliant career for Poirier, who finishes his career with a 30-10 record. Poirier, the UFC Lightweight Interim Champion in 2019, also defeated the likes of Connor McGregor twice in addition to victories over Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler.
In the co-main event, Paulo Costa (15-4) snapped a three-match losing streak, defeating Roman Kopylov for a middleweight division win by a unanimous decision.
Daniel Rodriguez (20-5) won his third consecutive fight after a unanimous decision over Kevin Holland in welterweight action in a significant upset. Rodriguez was +425 to win the fight, but beat Holland (28-14), who lost his second fight of 2025.
In the featherweight division, Patricio Freire beat Dan Ige by a unanimous decision. Freire (37-8) dominated the three-round fight, taking down Ige five times.
The five-fight main card opened with a unanimous decision upset win by Michael Johnson over Daniel Zellhuber in the lightweight action. Johnson opened the fight +475 according to Bet MGM. Johnson (25-19) landed 81 strikes compared to only 52 from Zellhuber as he won his third consecutive fight.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lottie Woad keeps 2-shot lead in Scotland and closes in on victory in pro debut on LPGA Tour
Lottie Woad keeps 2-shot lead in Scotland and closes in on victory in pro debut on LPGA Tour

Toronto Star

time19 minutes ago

  • Toronto Star

Lottie Woad keeps 2-shot lead in Scotland and closes in on victory in pro debut on LPGA Tour

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Lottie Woad had four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn and posted a 5-under 67 on Saturday to maintain her two-shot lead in the Women's Scottish Open as she closes in on victory in her professional debut. Woad has such control of her game at Dundonald Links that she went 33 consecutive holes without a bogey until dropping a shot on the 15th.

Lauren James' return boosts England ahead of Euro 2025 final against Spain
Lauren James' return boosts England ahead of Euro 2025 final against Spain

Winnipeg Free Press

time19 minutes ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Lauren James' return boosts England ahead of Euro 2025 final against Spain

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — England forward Lauren James has recovered from injury in time for the final of the Women's European Championship against World Cup winner Spain on Sunday. James had to come off at halftime in England's semifinal victory over Italy on Tuesday with an ankle problem and was seen applying ice to her injury during the match. However, the Chelsea player trained on Saturday with the rest of the Lionesses. 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through,' England coach Sarina Wiegman said on the eve of the final. 'So if everyone recovers well, then we have 23 players available for tomorrow. 'I think we have many players that can impact and we know that she can have an impact too, so that'd be nice.' James was a major doubt even before the tournament after a hamstring injury ended her season in April. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. But the 23-year-old has started all five of England's games at Euro 2025 and been a continuous threat. James scored twice in the 4-0 win over the Netherlands in the second group-stage match. 'I think we have a team of talented players,' England captain Leah Williamson said. 'Lauren brings something slightly different…so obviously having that available is a best-case scenario for us.' England is the defending champion but lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2023. ___ AP soccer:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store