Max Holloway Spoils Dustin Poirier’s Farewell Fight

Max Holloway finally got on the scoreboard against Dustin Poirier as he was able to defend his BMF title at UFC 318 at the Smoothie King Center Saturday night in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Holloway, who had dropped two previous fights to Poirier (in 2012 and 2019), came in focused and sharp, using his trademark volume and durability to overwhelm the veteran in a five round war. All three judges scored the bout in Holloway’s favor: 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.

The win not only gave Holloway his first victory over Poirier but solidified his standing as a legitimate threat in the lightweight division and kept the BMF belt firmly around his waist.

“I’m pretty happy,” Holloway said. Poirier can still hit hard, he said, “but he kept coming back and back. I came in, and I knew I was going to try and be the spoiler and the villain.”

UFC President Dana White praised Max Holloway’s performance and acknowledged the pivotal moment it presents for the former featherweight champion. “He’s in a great position right now,” White said when asked about Holloway potentially challenging for the lightweight title. “He just defended the BMF title. He’s ranked No. 4 in the world there. Anything is possible for Max right now.” A rematch with current 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria could be on the horizon, setting up a massive clash with championship implications.

Overwhelming week for the homegrown product

This has been an emotional week for Dustin Poirier, as an overwhelming outpouring of love and respect poured in from fans, fighters, and the MMA community. Widely regarded as one of the toughest and most battle tested warriors in UFC history. Poirier received his flowers in real time not just for his grit inside the cage, but for the humility and heart he’s shown throughout his career. From heartfelt tributes to standing ovations, it was clear. Poirier’s impact reaches far beyond wins and losses. He’s a fighter’s fighter and he’ll forever be one of the sport’s most respected figures.

Dustin Poirier’s legacy is marked by grit, longevity, and elite competition. He made three bids for the undisputed UFC lightweight title — in 2019, 2021, and 2024 but came up short each time against all-time greats, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. Still, he etched his name in UFC history by capturing the interim lightweight championship in 2019, defeating Max Holloway in a five-round war that instantly became a classic.

“It’s been overwhelming honestly,” Poirier said about the amount of fight-week adoration he received. “I feel appreciated, I feel seen, I never stepped outside of fighting and looked at it this way. I never got to look at it third person. This week has been incredible. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana and the company. I’m a kid living the dream out here, man, throwing punches.”

Louisiana represent

In a poetic full-circle moment. Dustin Poirier walked out to the Octagon alongside New Orleans rap legend Lil Wayne. Returning to the song that started it all. “A Milli.” It was the same track Poirier used for his UFC debut back in 2011. Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Poirier’s connection to his home state runs deep, and the UFC honored that by rearranging its schedule to ensure his final fight took place in front of a home crowd. The atmosphere inside the Smoothie King Center was electric, as one of Louisiana’s most beloved fighters made his final walk under the lights.