Poirier loses out on BMF belt in final bout

Dustin “The Diamond" Poirier’s storied UFC career came to an end with a loss to Max “Blessed” Holloway in the main event of UFC 318 at Smoothie King Centre in New Orleans in the morning of Sunday 20 July 2025.

Born in Louisiana, Poirier fought the final fight of his career in his home state where he was unable to register a third win against Holloway, losing out on the BMF belt.

Holloway dropped Poirier with a straight right just a minute and a half into the fight. Poirier tried to get up but was put back down with a left hook, however, the 36-year-old was able to get back on his feet.

Holloway continued targeting Poirier’s head, landing an uppercut and a right shot in the second round, forcing Poirier against the cage before unleashing a barrage of punches which the veteran was able to withstand.

Poirier changed the momentum towards the end of the second round as he took Holloway to the ground with a well-timed combination and attempted to finish the fight with a guillotine, however, the Hawaiian native was able to outlast the bell, escaping at the end of the round.

The last 10 seconds of the fight saw the two fighters slug it out in the middle of the octagon, but both remained standing after the bell.

Holloway landed 198 significant strikes to Poirier’s 109, with each fighter earning one knockdown. The 33-year-old retained the BMF title, winning by unanimous decision (48-47 49-46 49-46).

Poirier left fans with some emotional words before leaving the octagon for the final time.

"I feel appreciated. I feel seen. I never got to step outside of fighting and look at this this way… I didn't know I touched as many people by living my dreams. You touched my heart," he said.

In the co-main event, Paulo Costa returned to the win column with a victory by unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov after losing to Sean Strickland by split decision in UFC 302 in June.

Michael Johnson got the better of Daniel Zellhuber to earn victory by unanimous decision, Patrício Pitbull moved to 37-8 with a win over Dan Ige by unanimous decision and Daniel Rodriguez defeated Kevin Holland by unanimous decision.

The UFC continues on Saturday 26 July with UFC on ABC, as Rober Whittaker takes on Reinier de Ridder in the main event.

Lightweight: Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (48-47 49-46 49-46), R5, 5:00

Featherweight: Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov via unanimous decision (30-27 30-27 29-28) R3, 5:00

Welterweight: Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 29-28) R3, 5:00

Middleweight: Patrício Pitbull def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 29-28) R3, 5:00

Lightweight: Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 29-28) R3, 5:00