UFC 318: A Louisiana Farewell for Dustin Poirier, Capped by Holloway Trilogy

The Ultimate Fighting Championship makes a long-awaited return to the "Big Easy" this Saturday, July 19th, as UFC 318 descends upon the Smoothie King Center for a truly special night. This event is largely built around a monumental occasion: the likely retirement bout of Lafayette, Louisiana's own Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier, who will complete his storied trilogy with fellow fan-favorite Max Holloway.

The lightweight main event, "Holloway vs. Poirier 3," is a fight that needs no embellishment, but the UFC matchmakers have done well to stack the deck with an enticing supporting cast. Paulo Costa, whose appearances typically result in some sort of adventure, draws Roman Kopylov in the middleweight co-main event, while Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez seem like safe bets to put on a show in their welterweight showcase. Rounding out the bill, former two-division Bellator MMA champion Patricio Freire hunts for his first UFC win against Dan Ige in a potentially exciting scrap at 145 pounds, and Michael Johnson takes on Daniel Zellhuber in an intriguing lightweight feature

The Main Event: A Diamond's Last Dance

Dustin Poirier (30-9, 22-8 UFC) steps into the Octagon, perhaps for the final time, looking to cement his legacy in front of his home state crowd. "The Diamond" has been a staple of thrilling fights since his WEC days, instantly making an impact by upsetting Jose Aldo in 2011. While featherweight gold eluded him, his aggressive style and penchant for "Fight of the Year" contenders, notably against Chan Sung Jung, endeared him to fans.

Switching to lightweight elevated Poirier's performance. Enhanced stamina, along with his speed and knockout power, drove his success in the division. A setback against Michael Johnson became a pivotal learning experience, prompting Poirier to become more patient and focused on counterattacks, making him even more formidable. This improved strategy resulted in significant wins over Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and Max Holloway, ultimately securing him a title shot against then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Although title shots against Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira didn't end in his favor, Poirier consistently rebounded with impressive performances, including two commanding victories over Conor McGregor that significantly enhanced his star status. In his latest appearance, he unexpectedly rose to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title in June 2024. Poirier exceeded expectations, transforming what many anticipated to be a dominant display by Makhachev into a competitive battle, ultimately losing only by a late submission. Now, he faces one final "big spot" against a well-known opponent, Holloway.

Opposite him is Max "Blessed" Holloway (26-8, 22-8 UFC), a fighter who equally merits a grand farewell when his moment arrives. Holloway's UFC journey started with a match against Poirier in 2012, as an inexperienced 20-year-old who swiftly succumbed to "The Diamond." However, that initial defeat was just the beginning of an extraordinary career.

Holloway's rise truly started in 2014, when he achieved 13 consecutive wins over five years, displaying one of the sport's most varied and relentless striking styles. He captured the featherweight title by dominating Jose Aldo and defended it against Aldo and Brian Ortega. His 2019 rematch with Poirier, a single lightweight outing, was an exciting match that ultimately highlighted the stylistic edge Poirier had at 155 pounds during that period.

Following his second defeat to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway continued to grow, incorporating patience and even wrestling into his already impressive skill set. This enhanced versatility was showcased at UFC 300, where he gave a masterful performance against Justin Gaethje, ending with a dramatic knockout just before the buzzer. This display reinforced the lightweight division as a promising route for "Blessed" after his recent featherweight title loss to Ilia Topuria.

Although Holloway, being the younger and apparently more resilient fighter with recent improvements, might seem like the logical choice, the story and emotional significance of Poirier possibly retiring in his home state make this a fight where emotions could outweigh logic. The prediction: Dustin Poirier by decision in what is expected to be another unforgettable battle.

Co-Main Event and Undercard Highlights:

The UFC 318 main card is brimming with exciting matchups:

• Middleweight Co-Main Event: Paulo Costa (14-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. Roman Kopylov (14-3, 4-3 UFC): Always an adventure, Paulo Costa returns to face the dangerous striking of Roman Kopylov. Costa, known for his aggressive, swarming style, will need to show improved cardio and defensive awareness against Kopylov's technical precision and counter-striking. Kopylov has quietly built an impressive resume with recent knockouts, making him a serious threat.

  
  

• Welterweight Showcase: Kevin Holland (28-13, 1 NC, 15-10 UFC) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (19-5, 9-4 UFC): This welterweight clash promises fireworks. Kevin Holland, seemingly revitalized at 170 pounds, faces the gritty and high-volume striking of Daniel Rodriguez. Holland's length and diverse skillset against "D-Rod's" relentless pressure and power make for an unpredictable and entertaining encounter.

  
  

• Featherweight Firefight: Dan Ige (19-9, 11-8 UFC) vs. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (36-8, 0-1 UFC): Former two-division Bellator MMA champion Patricio Freire hunts for his first UFC victory against the always-tough Dan Ige. Freire's patient, counter-striking approach meets Ige's boxing and one-shot knockout power in a potentially exciting scrap.

  
  

• Lightweight Feature: Michael Johnson (22-19, 14-15 UFC) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (15-2, 3-2 UFC): The main card opens with an intriguing lightweight bout pitting veteran Michael Johnson against rising prospect Daniel Zellhuber. Johnson, on a recent resurgence, looks to turn back the clock against the promising "Golden Boy" Zellhuber, who aims to solidify his contender status.

  
  

UFC 318 promises to be a night of high stakes, emotional farewells, and unforgettable action as the Octagon lights up New Orleans.