Max Holloway sends retirement message to Dustin Poirier after UFC 318 war

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 3:16 PM ET

Holloway-X

It's official, Dustin Poirier has retired, and the UFC loses one of its most reliable all-action lightweight stars.

Poirier ended his run with the promotion following a decision loss to longtime rival Max Holloway at UFC 318. 'Blessed' beat Poirier pillar to post, finally notching a win against the Louisiana native to finalize their score at 2-1 in Poirier's favor.

Ever the classy fighter, Holloway issued a heartfelt message for his fighting rival following the result...

Dustin Poirier explains final seconds with Max Holloway at UFC 318

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

'Paid in full!' ... Max Holloway issues warm send-off for Dustin Poirier

"It was an honor to share the Octagon not once, not twice, but three times with this man," Holloway wrote on X. "Thank you Dustin for being a warrior in the cage and even a greater person out of it.

"The sport is gonna miss you. Enjoy your retirement! Paid in full! Diamonds are forever."

It was an honor to share the octagon not once not twice but three times with this man. Thank you Dustin for being a warrior in the cage and even a greater person out of it. The sport is gonna miss you. Enjoy your retirement! Paid in full! Diamonds are forever. @DustinPoirier pic.twitter.com/tazt6qSiGz
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 20, 2025

Poirier responded, "Thank you Max! It was an honor."

Thank you Max! It was an honor https://t.co/ceC7dvpFDB
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 20, 2025

Poirier ends his MMA career with a professional record of 30-10 1NC, with notable wins over Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, Max Holloway, Anthony Pettis, and Michael Chandler.

'The Diamond' claimed interim lightweight gold in 2019, but otherwise came up short in every other title opportunity.

2019; Defeats Holloway for interim lightweight title while Khabib Nurmagomedov serves a suspension for the Conor McGregor brawl
2021; Loses to Charles Oliveira for lightweight gold
2023; Loses to Justin Gaethje for BMF title
2024; Loses to Islam Makhachev for lightweight title
2025; Loses to Max Holloway for BMF title