UFC 318: Poirier vs. Holloway: Preview, Odds & How to Watch

The Baddest MF title is on the line as two fan-favourites – Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway collide. It’s a special occasion for many reasons. First – it’s the 3rd time these two step into the octagon. Second – it’s Poirier’s final fight before retirement. Third – UFC 318 event will return to New Orleans for the first time since 2015.

With two great personalities ready to lock horns, it’s the final chance for Max Holloway to win against Poirier (he lost both previous bouts) and send him into retirement. For his opponent, winning in front of a local crowd can be a proper send-off. Let’s see what’s what before UFC 318!

Poirier vs. Holloway: Fight Details

• Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025 
• Time: Around 3 AM, July 20, UK time
• Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• At stake: Holloway’s “BMF” (Baddest Mf) Title
• Betting odds available at 7bet UK

As always, fans can expect a sold-out house, ready to cheer and roar for the main event. For UK fans, it’s another late-nighter with ring walks expected pre-dawn, but could be delayed if the undercards take a while. However, it’s Dustin Poirier’s last hoorah in the octagon, so staying up may be totally worth it!

Dustin Poirier – The Diamond’s Last Stand

Record: 30-9-1 (15 KOs)

Knowing it’s your swan song can bring either relief or total anxiety for a fighter. The 36-year-old Louisiana native announced that UFC 318 is his last ever showing in the UFC, and no one is a more fitting dance partner for ‘The Diamond’ than Max Holloway.

Dustin Poirier has already beaten Holloway twice, so some early predictions might sway in his favour. However, those victories came oh so long ago. First, Poirier submitted a 20-year-old Holloway in 2012 and then hit his peak by a UD win in UFC 236 to claim the interim Lightweight Championship. 

However, the peak didn’t last too long for ‘The Diamond’. His glory faded as he lost the title 5 months later, submitting to Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

Despite not being a champion anymore, Dustin Poirier is still a force to be reckoned with. The American is regarded as one of the best pure boxers in MMA, able to lure opponents into the pocket and unleash hellish combinations. For a battle-tested veteran, this can be his perfect way to say goodbye to the UFC in a similar fashion to Kobe Bryant scoring 60 points in his farewell game.

Dustin Poirier – Last 5 Fights

Despite beating Conor McGregor back-to-back after his loss to Khabib, Poirier has slowed down in recent years. In the final edition of his war against Justin Gaethje, ‘Diamond’ suffered a very hard head-kick to receive a KO loss for the BMF belt in 2023. The bounce-back win against Benoit Saint Denis didn’t gather too much momentum as Islam Makhachev submitted Poirier in June of last year. It’s probably smart for him to go out on his own terms!

Max Holloway – BMF & Hawaiian Superstar

Record: 26-8 (12 KOs)

The Hawaiian-born UFC star is ready for vengeance after he lost to Ilia Topuria in UFC 308, in a championship bout. This particular event will have special meaning for him, as ‘Blessed’ lost both previous matchups with Poirier.

The former 145 lb champion dominated the featherweight division for years with volume striking, cardio, and heart. However, his legacy is tarnished by high-profile losses, primarily to Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 245, UFC 251 & UFC 276), but also to Dustin Poirier (UFC 236) and Ilia Topuria (UFC 308). 

So, to put it in short, Holloway is very good, just not UFC Mount Rushmore worthy.

Though he’s 0-2 against Poirier historically, Holloway is a completely reinvented fighter than he was at that time. He’s added more weapons to his arsenal – including vicious bodywork and kicks. Experts predict that “Blessed” will be pushing hard early on and will try to turn this bout into a battle of attrition. 

With the BMF belt and his reputation on the line, Holloway will be keen to prove that the third time’s the charm.

Max Holloway – Last 5 Fights

Despite the two losses in his past 5 bouts, Holloway still has fans raving about his spectacular UFC 300 victory. “Blessed” delivered a buzzer-beater knockout of Justin Gaethje that fans are still raving about on social media. Other than that, he’s still near his prime, a bit younger and less battle-scarred than his opponent. 

Tale of the Tape

The final part of a trilogy, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Expect Holloway to pile on the pressure and Poirier to try and exploit his foe’s mistakes. 

Key Factors to Watch

The last instalment of the trilogy promises to be a classic. Here are the experts’ picks for the key factors to watch.

• Both Fighters are Aggressive – Poirier and Holloway are similar in the fact that they both prefer to be on the offensive. This guarantees high-volume action for the entire length of the bout and bodes well for fans around the globe. Since Poirier is a bit older, this doesn’t work in his favour.
• High–Stakes – if history shows any indication, Poirier might be better prepared psychologically, because Holloway lost a lot of high-profile bouts in the past. With the symbolic BMF title on the line and two previous losses to ‘The Diamond’, it’s up to the Hawaiian-born gladiator to prove his resilience.
• Close Quarters Combat or Keeping a Safe Distance – Poirier can land more devastating strikes, but Holloway has a broad arsenal of kicks, combos and ranged attacks. If Holloway lands body blows and keeps Poirier at a safe distance, that can boost his chances.

If Poirier can hurt Max early with his power, it could swing momentum in the favour of the hometown hero. Conversely, if Holloway drags Poirier into a fast-paced dogfight, the cumulative damage and volume could favour the younger man. In the end, it’s in the hands of “The Diamond” to beat the oddsmakers. 

Poirier vs. Holloway: Betting Odds

You can find odds for UFC 318: Poirier vs Holloway right here on 7bet UK sportsbook. You can also take a look at the odds table below to see what the numbers predict. 

Winner

Max Holloway is the slight favourite in the books, but only just. Keep in mind that both previous times these two squared up, ‘the Diamond’ won, and that can also become a factor. As both experts and numbers suggest, UFC 318 promises to be a cracker!

Please note that the odds are accurate as per the publishing time of the article. Make sure to check the latest odds before placing a bet.

How to Watch UFC 318: Poirier vs Holloway in the UK?

If you want to watch Poirier vs Holloway in the UK and catch UFC 318 action Live, you can do so on TNT Sports, available through Discover+ or TV providers like Sky. Early prelims are set for around 23:15 BST, and the Main Event walkouts are expected around 3:00 AM.

FAQ

How Many Times did Dustin Poirier Fight Max Holloway?

The pair have previously fought twice. Dustin Poirier won both previous outings (in 2012 and 2019). The first victory came by submission, while the second one was a Unanimous decision. 

How Much Will Poirier and Holloway Earn from UFC 318?

While official purses aren’t fully disclosed, both men should anticipate something in the range of $500,000 to $1,000,000, excluding potential bonuses and pay-per-view shares. That’s an estimate we can come up with based on their past event earnings. 

What is the BMF Title in the UFC?

The Baddest M’fer (Explicit) title is a symbolic championship within the UFC. It is awarded to fighters who are exciting for the fans to watch, daring, aggressive and fight with their heart. 

What are the Strongest Traits of Both Fighters?

Poirier is a great boxer and very tough mentally. Holloway has great cardio and can pile on the pressure with volume, as well as having a resilient chin. 

Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org