UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the upcoming pay-per-view event in New Orleans was built to celebrate Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight. UFC 318 takes place at the Smoothie King Center on July 19 and features Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) facing Max Holloway in a trilogy bout for the BMF title. Without a doubt it will be a home state send off for Poirier, who is from Lafayette, which is almost a three hour drive from New Orleans.
Obviously everyone can’t fight for the BMF belt. It’s only brought out for special occasions by the promotion to hype of a matchup between fan favorite fighters that are certified show stoppers. Poirier and Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) fit that bill as global stars for the UFC. White labeled both fighters as “all-time greats” of the promotion.
Max Holloway put on an absolute show when he fought for the BMF title last year in April. He told Justin Gaethje to stand in the middle of the ring and square up. Holloway would knock him out with one second left in the fight. That was a legendary moment. I’m not sure that this fight can top that moment but we do feel like we can and will see some fireworks here.
A Legends send off
“Dustin Poirier is a big star for us,” White told WDSU News. “He’s accomplished a lot in the sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. This is for him. He wanted to have his last fight and end his career in New Orleans, so here we are.”
Both fighters have a win against each other. But the grudge match will cement both fighters legacy as one fighter will be crowned as the true BMF.
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X
