UFC 318 promises to be an emotional and action-packed night as Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier makes his final walk to the Octagon in front of a home crowd, facing Max Holloway for the symbolic BMF title. Their trilogy bout headlines a memorable card in New Orleans, with Holloway looking to finally get a win over Poirier after two previous defeats. Poirier, who announced his retirement following this fight, will enter the arena alongside fellow Louisiana legend Lil Wayne. The event also features top names like Paulo Costa, Kevin Holland, and Patricio Pitbull, offering fans a mix of legacy fights, title implications, and high-stakes debuts. With emotion, history, and heavy hands all in play, UFC 318 is more than just another pay-per-view — it’s a farewell, a fight for pride, and a defining moment for American MMA stars.
1. Poirier’s Final Ride Comes Full Circle
Dustin Poirier’s 35th and final professional fight comes against the same man he once welcomed to the UFC — Max Holloway. Their rivalry spans over a decade, with Poirier submitting Holloway in 2012 and later defeating him via decision to win the interim lightweight title in 2019. Though Poirier never captured an undisputed UFC belt, he’s widely regarded as one of the most respected and exciting fighters of his generation. With the symbolic BMF title on the line and retirement awaiting, this final bout serves as a tribute to a career defined by grit, heart, and unforgettable wars.
2. Holloway Seeks Redemption and Another Run
Max Holloway enters UFC 318 not only defending the BMF belt he won in epic fashion against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, but also looking to rewrite history. The Hawaiian legend has lost both previous encounters with Poirier and is hoping third time’s the charm. At 33, Holloway still has time to mount another title run — but it won’t come easy. Losses to Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski have complicated Holloway’s path to gold in both lightweight and featherweight. A win over Poirier would not only settle the score but reignite his push for another crack at undisputed glory.
3. The End of an Era for American UFC Stars?
With Poirier’s retirement and Holloway’s uncertain title future, UFC 318 also feels like a potential passing of the torch moment. American stars once dominated UFC headliners, but the landscape is shifting. Today, global fighters are leading most divisions, and the pound-for-pound rankings tell a story — only a handful of top Americans remain. Kayla Harrison is the lone U.S. champion, and fighters like Sean O’Malley have faltered when facing elite global competition. UFC 318 may be the last time fans see two iconic American fighters share the main event stage.
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4. A Questionable Co-Main: Kopylov vs. Costa
While the main event shines bright, the co-main event has raised some eyebrows. Roman Kopylov vs. Paulo Costa — a matchup between the 13th and 14th-ranked middleweights — feels underwhelming in terms of stakes. Costa, once a feared contender, is 1-4 in his last five. While Kopylov has shown flashes of promise, this fight doesn’t scream “co-main” on paper. Still, Costa’s wild fighting style and unpredictable energy mean this could be a sleeper for Fight of the Night honors.
5. Can Pitbull End the “Bellator Bust” Narrative?
Former Bellator king Patricio Pitbull makes his second UFC appearance when he faces Dan Ige. His promotional debut ended in a decision loss to Yair Rodriguez, and fellow Bellator import Patchy Mix also struggled in his UFC debut. Fair or not, many UFC fans and critics view Bellator talent as second-tier. Pitbull has a chance to challenge that stereotype with a win over Ige — a durable, dangerous opponent. At 37, this may be Pitbull’s last shot to prove his greatness on MMA’s biggest stage.
Full UFC 318 Fight Card & Odds
- Main Event: Max Holloway (c) -130 vs. Dustin Poirier +110 — BMF Title Fight (Lightweight)
- Co-Main Event: Roman Kopylov -240 vs. Paulo Costa +200 — Middleweight
- Kevin Holland -450 vs. Daniel Rodriguez — Welterweight
- Dan Ige -210 vs. Patricio Pitbull +175 — Featherweight
- Daniel Zellhuber -550 vs. Michael Johnson +400 — Lightweight
- Vinicius Oliveira -165 vs. Kyler Phillips +140 — Bantamweight
- Brendan Allen -205 vs. Marvin Vettori +170 — Middleweight
- Francisco Prado -140 vs. Nikolay Veretennikov +120 — Welterweight
- Ateba Gautier -550 vs. Robert Valentin +400 — Middleweight
- Islam Dulatov -600 vs. Adam Fugitt +430 — Welterweight
- Jimmy Crute -280 vs. Marcin Prachnio +230 — Light Heavyweight
- Ryan Spann -220 vs. Lukasz Brzeski +180 — Light Heavyweight
- Brunno Ferreira -700 vs. Jackson McVey +500 — Middleweight
- Carli Judice -300 vs. Nicolle Caliari +240 — Women’s Flyweight
UFC 318 Details:
- Date: Saturday, July 18
- Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
- Start Time: 10 p.m. ET (Main card)
- Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV
UFC 318 is more than just another fight night — it’s a farewell to one of MMA’s most beloved warriors, a legacy bout between two icons, and a glimpse into the future of the sport. Whether you’re tuning in for nostalgia, knockout drama, or to see who grabs the BMF strap, UFC 318 delivers a night fans won’t soon forget.
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