Dustin Poirier Announces Retirement Following UFC 318 Fight

News Summary

UFC fighter Dustin Poirier has revealed plans to retire after his upcoming match against Max Holloway at UFC 318. This highly anticipated bout marks their third meeting, with Poirier currently leading their rivalry 2-0. The event, taking place in Poirier’s home state of Louisiana, will be emotionally charged as he bids farewell to his illustrious career. The fight has drawn significant interest from fans and the MMA community, further fueled by Poirier’s accompanying rapper Lil Wayne on his walk to the Octagon.

New Orleans, Louisiana – UFC fighter Dustin Poirier has announced that he will retire following his highly anticipated bout against Max Holloway at UFC 318, scheduled for July 18, 2025. This match serves as the third and decisive meeting between the two fighters, with Poirier currently leading their rivalry 2-0. Poirier’s retirement marks a significant moment in his career, as he has been a prominent figure in the UFC landscape for many years.

The upcoming event will take place in Poirier’s home state, providing a deeply personal backdrop to his final fight. Poirier, a Louisiana native, has expressed gratitude for the support he has received from fans and friends as he prepares to close this chapter of his career. To celebrate this moment, he plans to have famed rapper Lil Wayne, another well-known Louisiana native, accompany him during his walk to the Octagon.

The Poirier vs. Holloway fight has generated immense interest within the MMA community. Their first encounter occurred in 2012, where Poirier secured a victory by submission. The two fighters faced off again in 2019, during which Poirier won by decision, claiming the interim lightweight title and solidifying his status among the elite fighters in his class. Holloway, the former UFC featherweight champion, will enter this bout defending his ceremonial BMF (Baddest Mother Fu*r) title, which he earned after his performance against Justin Gaethje in 2024, widely regarded as a knockout of the year contender.

The co-main event for UFC 318 will feature a middleweight clash between Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov. The main card also includes other exciting bouts such as Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber. The main event highlighting Poirier and Holloway is set for five rounds, while all other fights scheduled on the main card will consist of three rounds. UFC 318’s main card will commence at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV, with prelims starting at 8 p.m. ET and early prelims at 6 p.m. ET.

As of his upcoming bout, Poirier boasts an impressive career record of 30 wins and 9 losses, while Holloway holds a record of 26 wins and 8 losses. Over the years, Poirier has achieved significant victories against high-profile opponents, including Conor McGregor, further enhancing his reputation in the sport. The excitement building around this trilogy fight has framed it as one of the most anticipated battles in UFC history. Notably, Poirier’s last fight in New Orleans was in 2015, where he faced Yancy Medeiros at UFC Fight Night.

As fans look forward to this showdown between two of UFC’s most celebrated fighters, the spotlight will be on Poirier as he bids farewell to competitive fighting in front of an enthusiastic crowd in his native Louisiana.

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HERE Resources

New Orleans Hosts UFC 318 Showdown
Dustin Poirier Announces Retirement After UFC 318
UFC 318 Returns to New Orleans with BMF Title Fight

Additional Resources

• UFC Official Weigh-in Results
• ESPN: How to Watch UFC 318
• BBC Sport: UFC 318 Preview
• Wikipedia: Dustin Poirier
• Google Search: UFC 318