NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana legend is coming home for one final fight.
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier, one of the most celebrated fighters in UFC history, will make his last walk to the Octagon when he faces Max “Blessed” Holloway for the BMF (Baddest Mother F—er) championship at UFC 318 in New Orleans. The event is set for July 19 at the Smoothie King Center — marking the UFC’s first event in Louisiana in nearly a decade.
Poirier announced the five-round bout Friday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, calling it the perfect way to end a career that began in the very state he’s now set to say goodbye to.
“I’m going to lay my gloves down in Louisiana, where it all started for me,” Poirier said. “Max is a legend. I said legends only. I couldn’t think of a better guy to fight in my retirement fight.”
The fight is also a trilogy bout years in the making. Poirier and Holloway have clashed twice before, with Poirier winning both times. In 2012, Poirier handed Holloway his first professional defeat during Holloway’s UFC debut. Seven years later, they met again for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236, where Poirier dominated over five rounds.
Now, with both fighters firmly etched into the UFC’s history books, they’ll meet a third — and final — time. Holloway, fresh off a jaw-dropping knockout victory over BMF champion Justin Gaethje, will step back into the lightweight division looking to flip the script. Poirier (30-9, 1 NC) heads into the fight following a spirited battle against current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
The BMF belt — a symbolic title awarded for toughness and fighting spirit — will be on the line, but for Poirier, the stakes are deeply personal. This fight is about closure, legacy and family. It’s about finishing where it all began.
Presale for UFC 318 tickets begins Thursday, May 14. Fans can visit UFC.com/NewOrleans to register for early access.
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