UFC's Dana White sends message to Dustin Poirier before Max Holloway retirement fight

Poirier is up 2-0 against Holloway, beating "Blessed" at UFC 143 and UFC 236, respectively.

When Poirier pitched the idea to UFC CEO Dana White, White didn’t hesitate.

“I think ESPN posted a list of the last like 11 people that he’s fought,” White said after UFC Nashville had concluded Saturday night. “Seven of them were former world champions, he’s had an incredible career here. We love him, and I mean we literally did this show for him, this card was built for him.”

White went deeper into Poirier’s career in a sit-down interview with WDSU, a Louisiana-based TV station, last month.

Dana White Shares Why New Orleans Made Sense For Dustin Poirier's Retirement Fight

“Throughout the world, Dustin Poirier is a big star for us,” White said. “He’s accomplished a lot in the sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. This is for him.”

It’s what Poirier always wanted, and now he gets to live it out against someone he has deep admiration and history with in Holloway.

"A pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible,” Poirier told The Schmo in February. "That's what I’m pushing forward. That’s what the UFC’s working towards, and things are getting pretty close. Lay down the gloves where it all started in Louisiana, it would be an honor for me.”

The fight headlines UFC 318 on ESPN+ pay-per-view, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

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