Latest news with #BMF
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dustin Poirier confirms Lil Wayne walkout at UFC 318 ahead of BMF title fight against Max Holloway
Dustin Poirier won't be the only New Orleans icon walking to the cage for the UFC 318 main event on Saturday at the Smoothie King Center. After teasing it in recent weeks, Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) confirmed Wednesday that rap legend Lil Wayne will walk out with him for his final UFC appearance. However, Poirier said he's not straying from his traditional walkout track. ter'It will be a little bit of James Brown, a little bit of Wayne,' Poirier told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference. 'Yeah, Wayne's walking out with me. … I have to [stick with the James Brown song]. I've paid the cost to be the boss. On my last one, I can't go that far away from it. I need to hear that. I need to feel that vibe before I fight someone.' Lil Wayne has long been a vocal UFC supporter and an avid Poirier fan, often posting about fights on social media. His appearance marks a rare celebrity walkout moment, though it's unclear if he'll perform during the entrance. Historically, the UFC has discouraged live walkout performances, with a few exceptions — most notably at UFC 189, when Conor McGregor walked out to Sinead O'Connor singing 'Foggy Dew.' More recently, celebrities like Jack Black, Kyle Gass (UFC 296), and Mark Zuckerberg (UFC 298) have accompanied fighters. Poirier, 36, will face Max Holloway for the BMF title in Saturday's main event, airing on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tom Aspinall dismisses value of BMF title for Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is not a fan of the BMF title. Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) defends it in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC), which headlines Saturday's UFC 318 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Aspinall thinks a fight like this doesn't need a BMF belt attached to it. "Do you want my honest opinion? I mean, it's a title, but it's not a world championship, so what are we doing?" Aspinall told TNT Sports. "These guys don't need a title. They're two legends of the sport. Look at the name value, even look at the rankings, look at the amount of fights they've got, look at the shorts they're wearing. We don't really need a title on the line, to be honest." Aspinall was then asked if former interim UFC lightweight champion Poirier is the best fighter to never win an undisputed title. As a fighter who was just promoted from interim heavyweight champion to undisputed champ after Jon Jones retired, Aspinall had an honest answer. "I'm going to give you a controversial answer again," Aspinall said. "My opinion, it doesn't matter what it says in front of the word world champion. If you have the words UFC and title on it, you're a champion regardless. Is he the best fighter to ever not win an undisputed title? I would say definitely Dustin Poirier. He's had such a respectable career that I don't think the title matters for somebody like him in my opinion."
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dustin Poirier's last stand at UFC 318 as family awaits a new champion
The post Dustin Poirier's last stand at UFC 318 as family awaits a new champion appeared first on ClutchPoints. Dustin Poirier, the pride of Lafayette, Louisiana, has confirmed what MMA fans have long dreaded: win or lose, his July 19th clash with Max Holloway at UFC 318 will be his final walk to the Octagon. The announcement is as heartfelt as it is seismic. Poirier's decision is rooted not just in the wear and tear of 19 years in the cage but in the joy of family, as he and his wife await the arrival of their baby boy. 'This is the last one. 19 years in, man. Had my first cage fight in 2007… my wife's pregnant right now… my wife's pregnant with a boy. So there's a lot going on, man,' Poirier shared, his words echoing across the MMA world and signaling the end of an era. UFC 318, set in New Orleans' Smoothie King Center, is more than just another PPV; it celebrates Poirier's legacy and a high-octane send-off against a familiar foe. Max Holloway, the BMF champion and former featherweight king, stands across from Poirier for the third, and likely final, time, with the 'Baddest Motherf***er' belt on the line. Their rivalry is storied: Poirier submitted a young Holloway in their 2012 featherweight debut, then outdueled him in a five-round war for the interim lightweight title in 2019. Now, with the series at 2-0 for Poirier, Holloway seeks redemption, and Poirier seeks closure in front of his home crowd. UFC CEO Dana White has clarified that UFC 318 is Poirier's night. 'He has achieved a great deal in this sport. To be honest, this event is for him. He expressed a desire to have his final fight in New Orleans, and that's precisely what we're doing,' White said. The card, though criticized for lacking depth, is anchored by this main event, which promises fireworks and emotion in equal measure. For Poirier, the chance to retire in Louisiana, where his journey began, is a fitting bookend to a remarkable career. From Lafayette to Legend: The Poirier Story Poirier's professional journey began in 2007, and by 2009 he was already making waves, racking up seven finishes in his first seven fights. He entered the UFC in 2011, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite thanks to his relentless style and willingness to embrace chaos. His first UFC main event came against 'The Korean Zombie,' Chan Sung Jung, in a Fight of the Night war that, despite ending in defeat, only cemented his reputation for heart and grit. Poirier's career is a testament to resilience. He rebuilt after tough losses, moved up from featherweight to lightweight, and embarked on a run that saw him topple legends like Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and Conor McGregor. His 2019 interim lightweight title win over Holloway stands as a career highlight, and though the undisputed gold eluded him in battles with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, Poirier's legacy is secure. Poirier's impact goes beyond wins and losses. He's tied for fourth most post-fight bonuses in UFC history, a testament to his all-action style. He's a philanthropist, a role model, and a fighter's fighter, respected by peers and adored by fans. His career is a highlight reel of grit, adversity, and triumph, and his willingness to step away for family only adds to his legend. Poirier's Retirement Is MMA's Most Bittersweet Goodbye In a sport defined by comebacks and retirements that rarely stick, Poirier's decision feels different. He's walking away on his terms, with his health, his dignity, and his family as his next championship. 'I'm going to lay the gloves down in Louisiana where it all started for me. The whole journey started there and I'm just honored to have the UFC on the same page and the state of Louisiana on the same page to make all this work,' Poirier said. As the MMA world braces for one last 'Diamond' performance, the stakes are clear: legacy, family, and the chance to say goodbye in front of those who matter most. Whether his hand is raised or not, Poirier's place among the all-time greats is secure—and his next chapter, as a father and legend, begins the moment the cage door closes behind him. Related: Elijah Smith vs. Toshiomi Kazama headlines new UFC Vegas 109 clash on August 9th Related: UFC Atlanta crowd sets the bar high by shattering gate and attendance records
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 318: Dustin Poirier media day interview
UFC 318 headliner Dustin Poirier spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his BMF title retirement fight vs. Max Holloway on Saturday in New Orleans.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 318: Max Holloway media day interview
UFC 318 headliner Max Holloway spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his BMF title defense vs. Dustin Poirier on Saturday in New Orleans.
