Holloway vs Poirier 3 – The Final Chapter in a Legendary UFC Rivalry
Man, UFC 318 was something else. If you’re a fight fan, you know how big this one was—Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier for the third and final time. Two absolute legends going toe-to-toe one last time, and this time it meant more than just a win. It was the end of an era.
Let’s start with the emotion around this fight. Dustin Poirier, fighting in front of his home crowd in New Orleans, walked out for what he called his last dance . He’s had an incredible career—21 wins in 31 UFC bouts, and despite never holding an undisputed title, he's widely considered one of the best to ever do it. He’s fought legends, created highlight moments like knocking out McGregor, and tonight, he got the farewell he deserved.
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On the other side, Max Holloway came into the Smoothie King Center with the BMF belt on the line, ready to play spoiler. He’s making his permanent move to lightweight now, and this was a massive test for him. Remember, Poirier had beaten him twice before—once back in 2012 and again in 2019. So the stakes were huge. This wasn’t just about titles; this was personal, this was legacy.
From the very first bell, the atmosphere was electric. You could feel the weight of history in the Octagon. The exchanges were crisp, the intensity was through the roof, and both guys left it all in there. These two always bring high-volume striking, and true to form, it was a war. Holloway came in with his usual relentless pace, and Poirier responded with that veteran grit and power. This trilogy spanned 13 years—the longest stretch between three fights in UFC history—and it felt like the culmination of everything they’ve been through.
Now, whether or not Poirier won—what mattered most was how he went out. He gave everything. He didn’t let the sport retire him; he walked away on his own terms, against one of the best to ever do it. Holloway, meanwhile, continues his new chapter, defending the BMF belt and reminding everyone why he’s a future Hall of Famer. He now ties Poirier with 22 UFC wins, both sitting near the top of the all-time list.
The respect between them? Unmatched. There’s something poetic about two warriors who’ve battled so fiercely, yet hold such deep mutual admiration. The fans in New Orleans knew they were witnessing something special—this wasn’t just a fight, it was a moment in UFC history.
Whether you're team Blessed or team Diamond, tonight reminded us why we love this sport. Passion. Respect. Violence. Legacy. UFC 318 delivered all of it in spades.
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