Dustin Poirier to Close UFC Career with Max Holloway Trilogy Title Fight
Dustin Poirier will make his final walk to the Octagon when UFC returns to New Orleans for UFC 318 on July 19, as the Louisiana native prepares to conclude his legendary career with a trilogy bout against Max Holloway for the BMF championship. The 36-year-old Lafayette, Louisiana, native holds a 2-0 record against Holloway via first-round submission and unanimous decision, but this third meeting carries different stakes as both fighters enter following title fight defeats.
The UFC hasn’t held an event in New Orleans for nine years, which made Poirier’s homecoming request particularly meaningful. The organization worked with local authorities and venues to accommodate the retirement bout, moving away from their typical Las Vegas schedule to give one of their most beloved fighters a proper sendoff. Poirier announced his retirement plans on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, stating his desire to finish where his career began.
The BMF title fight already shows strong betting interest from fans who remember their previous encounters. The trilogy bout has already generated significant betting interest from fans eager to wager on Poirier’s emotional farewell fight. With the emotional stakes and long history between both fighters, many bettors are researching UFC Toto gambling sites, which help fans find the best sites for their UFC wagering needs.
Both fighters are coming off losses in title fights, with Poirier (30-9) submitting to Islam Makhachev last June and Holloway (26-8) losing via knockout to Ilia Topuria in October. The setbacks have positioned both veterans at career crossroads, with Poirier choosing retirement and Holloway seeking redemption through a permanent move to lightweight.
Holloway won the BMF belt with one of the most iconic finishes in UFC history at UFC 300, landing a right hand that knocked out Justin Gaethje right before the final horn. His dramatic victory showcased the fearless fighting spirit that defines the BMF championship, setting up a compelling defense against the hometown hero.
The Smoothie King Center will host the event, marking a significant homecoming for Poirier, who grew up just outside New Orleans in Lafayette. UFC executive vice president Peter Dropick said in a news release that having Poirier finish his remarkable UFC career in New Orleans is special, thanking local organizations for their support in making the event possible.
The card features several notable matchups beyond the main event. Ranked middleweights Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen will settle their score after a previous cancellation and an unofficial casino brawl. The co-main event pairs two fighters with unfinished business, as their original UFC Vegas 90 bout fell through when Vettori withdrew, leading to an unsanctioned confrontation months later.
Additional fights include bantamweight action between Kyler Phillips and Vinicius Oliveira, light heavyweight competition featuring Jimmy Crute against Marcin Prachnio, and a women’s flyweight bout between Carli Judice and Nicolle Caliari. The card also showcases strawweight contenders Amanda Ribas versus Tabatha Ricci, welterweight veterans Neil Magny and Gunnar Nelson, plus middleweight prospects Ikram Aliskerov and Brunno Ferreira.
Poirier has earned the distinction of being potentially the best UFC fighter to have never been an undisputed champion, having fallen short in title bouts against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. The BMF belt represents his final opportunity to capture UFC gold in his home state, providing a storybook ending to a career that began in Louisiana’s regional circuits.
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