UFC 318 delivered an unforgettable night of fights on July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Headlined by the highly anticipated trilogy between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, the event lived up to the hype with a classic battle and several exciting bouts on the undercard. In this review, we recap the Holloway vs. Poirier 3 showdown, analyze the outcomes, and highlight key moments from UFC 318.

Holloway vs. Poirier 3 – Epic Trilogy Finale

Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 served as the main event for the symbolic “BMF” title, and it more than delivered. In their third meeting, Holloway finally secured a victory over Poirier, winning by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) after five rounds. The fight was an instant classic, with both fighters trading big shots in a high-paced stand-up war. Holloway came out aggressively and even knocked down Poirier in the first two rounds, setting the tone early. Poirier, fighting in front of his home state crowd in Louisiana, showed incredible heart and rallied in the middle rounds, but Holloway’s volume and precision striking gave him the edge.

This bout had enormous emotional stakes, as it was Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight. “The Diamond” had announced he would hang up the gloves after this fight, regardless of outcome, not needing a belt to validate his legacy. Holloway, aware of the storyline, admitted “I came in to spoil the party, and I did”. By the final horn, both men were bloodied yet still swinging, bringing the crowd to its feet. Despite the fierce action, Holloway felt slighted that this barnburner didn’t receive Fight of the Night honors – “How the hell did we not get Fight of the Night?” he blasted afterward. Nonetheless, Holloway’s performance was masterful. He successfully defended the BMF belt, becoming the first fighter to defend that title, and finally scored a win in his trilogy with Poirier (Poirier had won their first two encounters back in 2012 and 2019).

For Poirier, it wasn’t the storybook ending he wanted. Yet, even in defeat, he “left it all inside the octagon” in this wild sendoff fight. The mutual respect was evident as both warriors embraced after the final bell. Poirier departs as one of the most accomplished lightweights of his era, and Holloway ensured his legacy was honored with an incredible fight. Holloway, meanwhile, solidified that he’s still among the elite, now holding a win over the man who twice bested him in the past. The trilogy finale lived up to expectations as an all-action battle and fitting tribute to Poirier’s career.

Co-Main Event and Main Card Highlights

In the co-main event of UFC 318, Paulo Costa faced rising contender Roman Kopylov. Costa imposed his power striking and body attacks to earn a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). It was a dominant showing that kept Costa on track in the 185-lb division. After his win, Costa made it clear he has his eyes on another middleweight star – calling for a bout with Khamzat Chimaev next. Whether Costa gets that wish remains to be seen, but his performance proved he’s still a threat at middleweight.

One of the night’s most thrilling fights was a welterweight showdown between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez. The two delivered an “insane battle”, trading wild exchanges for three rounds. Rodriguez ultimately edged out Holland via close decision (29-28 on all cards). The back-and-forth slugfest had the crowd roaring and reportedly earned Fight of the Night honors, which explains Holloway’s frustration at being snubbed for the bonus. Rodriguez’s win over the always-game Holland is a significant feather in his cap and raises his stock in the division.

Other main card highlights included Patricio “Pitbull” Freire defeating Dan Ige in a clash of featherweight contenders. The former Bellator champ Pitbull used his veteran savvy to win a unanimous decision over Ige (29-28 across), proving he can hang in the UFC’s deep featherweight class. Kicking off the pay-per-view, UFC veteran Michael Johnson earned a decision nod against prospect Daniel Zellhuber, with Johnson’s experience carrying him through a competitive fight.

On the preliminary card, several performances stood out. TUF alum Brendan Allen scored an upset over former title challenger Marvin Vettori, winning a decision in their middleweight bout. Allen’s win over a big name like Vettori positions him as a new contender to watch at 185 lbs. We also saw explosive finishes: French heavyweight Ateba Gautier demolished Robert Valentin by first-round TKO in just 1:10, igniting the crowd early, and Islam Dulatov delivered a highlight-reel one-punch knockout of Adam Fugitt. Additionally, Australian light heavyweight Jimmy Crute made a statement with a first-round armbar submission of Marcin Prachnio, reminding fans of his dangerous ground game.

What’s Next for the Stars of UFC 318?

With UFC 318 now in the books, questions loom about what comes next for the headliners. Max Holloway, having retained his BMF title and avenged his losses to Poirier, has a wealth of options. Holding the symbolic BMF belt keeps him in big-fight territory – he could welcome any bold challenger in the lightweight division or even consider moving between weight classes for marquee matchups. Holloway expressed that he doesn’t plan a grand retirement announcement like Poirier did; when his time comes, he’d “probably keep it a secret”. For now, Blessed plans to keep on blessing the fans with more wars. Potential future fights could include Justin Gaethje or another top lightweight who wants a crack at the BMF strap.

For Dustin Poirier, UFC 318 marked the end of an era. Although he didn’t get the fairytale ending, Poirier’s legacy as one of the toughest, most skilled fighters in MMA is secure. The Louisiana native exits the sport with his head held high, knowing that a belt doesn’t define his storied career. Fans can celebrate Poirier’s many highlights – from his interim championship run to countless Fight of the Night performances – as he moves into retirement. And if we know Poirier, his post-fight career will likely involve philanthropy (through his Good Fight Foundation) and possibly coaching or commentary.

Elsewhere, Paulo Costa’s win puts him on a collision course with the top of the division. If the UFC grants his wish, a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev would be a must-see showdown of powerhouse fighters – and could even serve as a title eliminator given Chimaev’s star power. Daniel Rodriguez, after besting Holland, might crack the welterweight Top 15 and could face another ranked opponent next. And veterans like Pitbull Freire and Michael Johnson each showed they still have plenty of fight in them, likely earning themselves another notable matchup in their respective divisions.

UFC 318 will be remembered for its emotional stakes and high-octane action. Max Holloway spoiled Dustin Poirier’s retirement party in dramatic fashion, capping off a thrilling trilogy and the end of Poirier’s journey. The night also propelled other fighters forward in their careers and treated fans to a series of quality fights. As the dust settles, MMA enthusiasts are left with lasting memories from New Orleans – and anticipation for what’s around the corner in a stacked UFC summer schedule.

MMAailm.ee is a premier MMA blog committed to delivering comprehensive analysis, up-to-the-minute news, and exclusive insights into the global landscape of mixed martial arts. Catering to passionate MMA enthusiasts worldwide, MMAailm.ee covers everything from fight night breakdowns and athlete performances to technical evolutions and behind-the-scenes narratives. Our mission is to bridge the gap between fans and the ever-evolving world of MMA through timely information and engaging content.