UFC 318-Poirier’s Swan Song & Max Holloway’s Resurrection

All great things in life deserve a trilogy. We’ve had Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Cowboys vs. Steelers, Ali vs. Frazier, and McGregor vs. Poirier. This time around, in a week’s time, the hottest July in memory is reserved for a final chapter of Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier. One is a former featherweight champion looking to get back into title contention, while for the other this is a farewell bout as far as MMA and UFC go. 

While the upcoming UFC 318 card is not one of the top rated ones as far as the events this year go, it’s been a while since we’ve had a fully packed emotional fight as the headliner. On July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana Holloway and Poirier will put a final cog in their trilogy in a fight that will without a doubt be written in the annals of MMA. 

The previous two bouts were all won by Dustin Poirier, which makes the stakes much higher on Holloway who still plans to fight in the UFC, unlike for Poirier who is looking to retire following this bout. The odds for this duel will not reveal too much about the eventual winner. At the moment, Dustin Poirier is the favoured one as he is opened at -150 (1.67) odds. For a fighter looking to retire, and not having the best of times in his recent bouts, it is interesting to see him favoured for this one. 

Holloway on the other hand is the underdog this time around. His odds currently stand at +130 (2.30). Maybe odds makers know something we don’t as they opened the odds this way. Holloway has more at stake in this bout, as he is continuing his career and is looking to get back into title contention. Yet, the odds sometimes tell a true story, so we suggest that you get your eyes on these UFC 318 Expert Picks for the upcoming event and do not rely on casual suggestions or gut feelings. 

If you ask us, the odds are doing no favors to UFC legends such as Max Holloway. Back in 2016 when he took home the featherweight title he was at the top of the world. It took five attempts to take that crown from his head, and the belt from his waist. It was Alexander Volkanovski who took the belt from him. In addition to that defeat another one that is more than interesting, considering the UFC 318 main event, is the first UFC bout for the Blessed, which was a loss against Dustin Poirier. What’s even more interesting is that it was his only loss by submission so far in his career as he fell to a triangle armbar. His second chance to take everything from Poirier came in 2019 when Max moved to lightweight, yet once again it was Dustin who took home the win via unanimous decision. In the meantime, Max Holloway became the owner of the BMF belt, which was one after one of the most satisfying ends to an UFC fight against Justin Gaethje when two men exchanged countless strokes until the last seconds of the duel when Max struck a knockout to Gaethje’s head. We expect the same type of tenacity when Holloway meets Poirier in the rings at UFC 318. If you plan to bet on UFC 318 check out the odds we mentioned, and make sure that a knockout win is on your slip, as this bout is not going down until the final bell. 

Poirier, despite us thinking he still has plenty of gas in his tank, is looking to end his career following this duel regardless of the final outcome. If that’s his final decision, he does not have too much to regret after a quality career that saw him go 30-9 in his MMA career. At the end of the day, Dustin started his career some time ago in early 2010s in the featherweight divisions before moving to lightweights after getting an 8-3 record. His career is one of impressive wins as he has the likes of Justin Gaethje, Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez, Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler all on his resume beaten to a pulp. While holding an interim title for a while he never once managed to win the undisputed lightweights title despite having three opportunities to do so. Considering how his career played out, a bout with Max is a nice way to say farewell to the beloved sport. 

For Max Holloway, this is more than a farewell to a colleague and an opponent; it is a chance to move up in the rankings and get his name in the headlines once again. Holloway, who serves as an ambassador for the online casinos and sportsbook Stake.com, recently had an interview leading to UFC 318, and made sure to spill his thoughts about his career so far, next opponent, and future plans. Here are some of the questions he answered. 

Is Your CV Better Than Poirier’s? 

This is a question that Max answered with utmost respect. For Blessed ,he and Dustin fall into the same category. Holloway is aware of the fighter Dustin is and was, and has highlighted all the title fights he has had, singling out their bout that led to Poirier getting the interim title. The comparison is there as we both fought hard battles, came against some of the top fighters UFC had to give, won those fights, and have clawed our way to the top of the rankings, concludes Holloway. 

Is Another Title Shot on The Menu? 

That’s a firm yes for Holloway. At the end of the day the last title bout between Oliveira and Topuria was a duel of two fighters I both have history with says Blessed. Here, a fight between Dustin Poirier and Holloway is also a bout between two big names in the UFC, and Max thoroughly believes that in case of a win a title challenge is on the menu, two which no one could have said no believes Max. Holloway believes that many times the names that get thrown into title contention do not get to really fight for it, and that’s where he sees his chance. In case there’s an spectacular outcome in the Poirier fight, Holloway believes that he will be thrown directly into contention. If I go out and put on a show there’s no denying me, claims Holloway. The key is the win, and for Holloway that outcome is the only one he has in mind. 

Legendary Bouts or Title Fights? 

For Max, there is no question here. Every fight is a path to a title if it’s concluded with a win. The aim is to have two titles in different divisions, says Max, and believes that such achievement will put him into the company of some of the UFCs greatest fighters. Today, when he fights in the 155 division, Max feels younger and more focused than ever. The bout vs. Dustin is the one Max intends to win even if that means he is the bad guy who spoiled the farewell of another UFC great. All I want to happen is to get my hand raised come the end of the fights, concludes Max Holloway. 

Is Ilia Topuria the hardest P4P puncher in UFC history?

Of course, there was the unavoidable question during the Max Holloway UFC 318 Interview in regard to the biggest UFC draw at the moment in Ilia Topuria. Just like any other fighter who got knocked out by the Matador, Holloway was asked about Topuria’s punch. For Max, it is a strong punch but not one he would call extraordinary. I was hit harder, smiles Holloway. For Max, in his lengthy UFC experience one of the hardest hitters is Justin Gaethje whom he had some of the messiest bouts. Max claims that Gaethje hits and kicks hard, and as far as his experience goes, he is at the top, with no disrespect for Topuria, of course. One needs to acknowledge the strength Ilia Topuria has in his arms, as we all saw what happens to opponents when he finishes Max. As of now, he has become the biggest puncher in UFC history, pound for pound, muses Max. 

Paddy vs. Ilia? 

This is a bout that many people see as more of a mismatch than anything else and as one that shouldn’t be scheduled. For Max Holloway, that’s nonsense as he believes there’s no such a thing as a mismatch in MMA where anything can happen in any match. Duels are won and lost on a single slip, or a fighter being caught, and Max knows that better than anyone else. For Max, Paddy is not a draw for the title fight, but considering that sometimes UFC acts as a matchmaking company, and people are already talking loudly about Paddy vs. Ilia, this match could be realized, concludes Holloway. 

How About Gaethje vs Paddy? 

Now, that’s an interesting bout for sure, smiles Max. Paddy is a brawler who can take any fight down to the ground. He is a top fighter in his own right, even if not a title contender, and when facing Justin Gaethje, one could expect an interesting bout, says Holloway. For fans, it would be a thrill, and in the fight of the year contention claims Max. 

A UFC Dream Fight? 

It is straight up Daniel Cormier says Max. It is a fight that was not meant to be, and there was no chance of it happening due to weight difference, and yet, it has to be that one. Max claims he would fight DC right now to settle some matters once for all. The two have been having a go at each other in the media, jokingly of course, and it is evident that Max is envious of DC who enjoys every piece of life outside of the octagon by eating and drinking as much as he likes. He thinks he is the Daddest Man on the Planet brother and we have to solve this, concludes Holloway. 

The Title Bout That Never Was-Aspinall vs. Jones?

It is one that’s hard to predict, muses Max. At the end of the day we all know who Jon Jones is, states Holloway. Jon has found his way around every opponent, but you can’t take Tom out of the equation, who is a force of nature. It would be a tough fight, but one I would certainly enjoy, says Max. For fans it would be once in a lifetime MMA fight, on the highest MMA level. With two guys who have a big fighting IQ, it would be a treat for everyone involved, says Max. Fast movement, and hard hits, I’m all for it concludes Max. 

Will we see you fighting at the White House?

We’ll see about that, smiles Max. For a White House performance many things would have to line up. It is a never say never situation, and in sports you truly never know. Let’s wait and see, muses Max. Holloway stated that if given an opportunity for that once in a lifetime event, he would be all for it. Why not, he says, as it is one of the biggest events in MMA if announced right that moment. Being a part of history is a dream for every MMA fighter, and who’s to say not if a call from the White House and Dana White arrives. 

Max Holloway got plenty to say in the lead up to UFC 318, and we remain certain that he also has plenty to show within the octagon. While Poirier will be looking to go out with a bang, the stakes are higher for Max, and we are sure that he will live up to the moment. The same way he is now having a trilogy with Poirier, we can see him having one with Topuria in the future.