UFC 318 is set to be a historic and emotional night in New Orleans, as the octagon returns to Louisiana for the first time in over a decade and fittingly, for the final chapter in the career of “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier. Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is stepping into UFC 318 not just to defend the symbolic BMF title, but to play spoiler to what’s expected to be Dustin Poirier’s (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) farewell, homecoming fight and he’s embracing the role.
Poirier defeated Holloway by submission in 2012 and by unanimous decision in a 2019 interim lightweight title fight. This marks the longest trilogy gap in UFC history 13 years from the first to third bout. Holloway, the reigning BMF champion after a stunning KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, now defends the belt in a rare trilogy where he’s down 0-2 losing in 2012 and again in 2019.
Extreme volume
Absolutely when it comes to volume striking, Max Holloway is in a league of his own. Holloway is UFC Record holder for significant strikes. He has 16 fights where he landed 100+ significant strikes no one else has more than 10. His legendary fight vs. Calvin Kattar? He landed a UFC record 445 significant strikes in one fight an absolutely absurd number.
That’s exactly the type of volume he’s going to need against Dustin Poirier. If Max Holloway can overwhelm him with endless amount of pressure, not only can he get on the scoreboard against Poirier, but he can not only be the first to defend the BMF title, but knock him out as well.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
