UFC 318: Dustin Poirier media day interview
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Max Holloway retains UFC BMF title, spoils Dustin Poirier's retirement fight
NEW ORLEANS -- 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. ___
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Holloway retains BMF title as Poirier retires
Max Holloway retained the symbolic BMF title as Dustin Poirier's esteemed career ended in defeat at UFC 318 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Holloway's volume of strikes helped him win an entertaining contest by unanimous decision as he became the first fighter to defend the belt awarded to the UFC's "baddest". Afterwards Holloway called out lightweight champion Ilia Topuria before paying tribute to fellow American Poirier. "I've got some history with the champ. UFC, it's your move next, baby, but I'm done talking," said Holloway. "This is Dustin's retirement fight - give it up to my man." Former interim lightweight champion Poirier, 36, retires as one of the most respected athletes to step foot inside the octagon. After making his UFC debut in 2011, Poirier won 22 of 32 fights and retires as arguably the best fighter to never win an undisputed title. "I'm grateful for this experience and journey. I want to thank (UFC president) Dana White and the UFC for giving a kid a platform to make something of his life, to help keep my family is a safe place," said an emotional Poirier. "I'm forever in debt to the company and mixed martial arts. It's taught me everything I know and I'm just thankful I got to walk this walk." Holloway beats Poirier at third attempt The bout concludes the pair's epic rivalry after Poirier's victories in 2012 and 2019. After suffering defeat for the lightweight title in his most recent fight against Islam Makhachev in 2024, Poirier said Holloway would be his final bout. Poirier, accompanied by rapper Lil Wayne, was greeted by a rousing reception in front of his home crowd as he skipped his way towards the octagon. Holloway - as he called for before the fight out of respect to Poirier - was booed on his walkout, before making a fast start when the fight got under way. After mixing up his leg strikes and punches well, Holloway dropped Poirier with a straight right in a confident first round. Holloway remained in control in the second round as he knocked Poirier down again, before the momentum shifted. With seconds of the round remaining, Poirier landed a one-two punch combination which dropped Holloway, before the bell saved him from more damage on the ground. The action continued to go back and forth - Holloway landed longer combinations but Poirier's strikes appeared more damaging - before the crowd rose to their feet in anticipation of the final round. With 10 seconds to go Holloway pointed to the ground in trademark fashion, inviting the pair to stand and trade. Holloway knocked Justin Gaethje out in similar fashion last year and, although he got the better of the exciting exchange, Poirier survived until the final bell. The pair embraced in respect as Holloway kissed Poirier on the forehead before sharing a few words. "Max is tough to deal with in here. He's slick; he's crafty; he's fast; he's the champ. I got nothing but respect for Max - he's one of the good guys," said Poirier. "I've been chasing my dreams - it's been incredible. I'm a kid living his dream out here, throwing punches, throwing knees. It's incredible." Poirier's win over Holloway in 2019 for the interim lightweight belt remains the only UFC championship he won. He lost three undisputed title fights - against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Makhachev - but retires with a glittering resume regardless. He got the better of his trilogy with Conor McGregor - he is the only fighter to knock him out, in 2021 - and has iconic victories over Dan Hooker, Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez. 'Truly one of the greatest' - what fighters said Islam Makhachev on X: "Congratulations, Dustin. You're truly one of the greatest to ever step into the cage. It was an honor and a privilege to share it with you." Jorge Masvidal on X: "Congrats on an awesome career Dustin! It's been great sharing this journey with you. Thanks for all the good times and everything you brought to the team. Enjoy retirement, you've more than earned it." Jon Jones on X: "I thought Dustin's performance was amazing. He definitely still has it. But it's good to see him walk away just because he wants to. That needs to become normalised in the future. Sick of fighters getting to the point of mumbling." Belal Muhammad on X: "Paid in full. Dustin is a legend. Amazing career." MMA schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode More MMA from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Max Holloway retains UFC BMF title, spoils Dustin Poirier's retirement fight
NEW ORLEANS — 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.
