Dana White has confirmed that UFC 318 was built entirely around Dustin Poirier.
Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) is set to face Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) for the third time when they square off in the main event at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on July 19. “The Diamond” has stated that he plans to retire after the event, which will mark the UFC’s first trip to New Orleans in ten years.
UFC President Dana White confirmed this week that the promotion’s return to Louisiana was planned specifically to honor Poirier’s remarkable career inside the Octagon.
“Throughout the world, Dustin Poirier is a big star for us,” White told WDSU in Louisiana. “He’s accomplished a lot in the sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. This is for him. He wanted to have his last fight and end his career in New Orleans so here we are.”
After making his debut in the Zuffa-owned WEC in 2010, Dustin Poirier entered the UFC the following year. Over the course of an exceptional career, he challenged for the UFC lightweight title three times. He was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira in his first two title fights, and suffered the same heartbreaking result in his most recent appearance—a loss to Islam Makhachev one year ago.
Despite never capturing undisputed UFC gold, Dana White still considers Poirier one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s history.
“Actually, he’s ranked No. 5 in the world right now in the lightweight division,” White said about Poirier. “He’s a guy who’s held his position in the top 10 in the sport for a very long time. He’s achieved a lot.
“He’s one of the all-time greats. Thousands of people have fought in the UFC, I don’t know where I could rank him but he’s one of the all-time greats.”
Poirier is set to face former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway for the third time at UFC 318. He previously submitted “Blessed” during Holloway’s UFC debut in 2012, and later defeated him by decision to claim the interim lightweight title in their 2019 rematch. Dana White believes a third meeting between the two is the perfect way to honor Poirier’s final walk to the Octagon.
“Poirier is fighting Max Holloway — another one of the all-time greats,” White said. “It should be an amazing fight.”
