The story of UFC 318 heading into the main event was Dustin Poirier’s retirement, and I’m all for giving a legendary action fighter and elite Lightweight contender his due. “The Diamond” didn’t look his absolute best, but he showed up in outstanding condition and fought his heart out in an admirable performance.
It was a very respectable way to end an outstanding career.
Now that UFC 318 has concluded, we really have to look forward and talk about Max Holloway’s position in the 155-pound title mix,
because he put on a masterclass performance. He was a step ahead of Poirier for nearly every minute of their five round contest, the sole exception being when Poirier stunned him with a right hook just behind the ear to close the second.
50-45 Holloway is a very reasonable scorecard, even if the judges didn’t go that direction.
Don’t get me wrong, Poirier landed plenty of shots across 25 minutes, but he ate far harder ones. Holloway’s counter punching and even counter kicking were incredibly effective in shutting down the powerful combinations of an all-time great Lightweight finisher. At distance, Poirier found solid jabs, but he couldn’t build on those shots. Holloway, conversely, was firing four-punches at a time, going up and down the body, and sliding that right hand down the center of Poirier’s guard repeatedly. Clearly, he learned how to navigate the elbow shield that flustered him in their second fight.
In consecutive 155-pound appearances, Max Holloway has looked the part of world-beater, battering a pair of highly respected Lightweight contenders. If anyone else were to show up in the Lightweight shark tank, smoke Justin Gaethje and then pick apart Dustin Poirier, they would immediately be considered the number one contender.
Instead, we’re considering the merits of Arman Tsarukyan off a Charles Oliveira split-decision, Paddy Pimblett after beating up ancient Michael Chandler, or Justin Gaethje following a single victory over Rafael Fiziev. Of the current Lightweight field, Holloway is clearly the best contender available, and he’s somehow still just 33 years of age.
The problem is the champion. Ilia Topuria knocked out Max Holloway in a very entertaining, somewhat competitive Featherweight bout less than a year ago. Immediately moving up to Lightweight and smoking Charles Oliveira was plain rude, really complicating Holloway’s chances of becoming a two-division champion after all these years.
I understand fully that the time is not yet right for Holloway vs. Topuria 2, and that Islam Makhachev’s shadow still hangs over the Lightweight title picture. It’s too early for the rematch to sell. Based on the strength of his two previous Lightweight performances, however, Holloway has proven himself a bonafide contender. He deserves to be given a fair shot at earning a title shot while he’s still in his prime, because he’s fighting at an extremely high-level in this division.
Holloway doesn’t have to be Topuria’s first title defense. Let’s see how the whole Makhachev situation plays out. While that clears up, it’s time to book Holloway versus Tsarukyan or Pimblett. Put him in the cage for a clear-cut title eliminator match up, one where a win would make him undeniable regardless of who holds the title.
“Blessed” deserves that much.
For complete UFC 318 results and play-by-play, click here.
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