UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, doesn’t understand why two legends of the sport, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, can’t be trusted to carry the UFC 318 pay-per-view (PPV) card this weekend in New Orleans without a prop like the “BMF” belt.
“I mean, it’s a title, but it’s not a world championship, so what are we doing?” Aspinall told TNT Sports. “These guys don’t need a title. They’re two legends of the sport. Look at the name value, even look at the rankings, look at the amount of fights they’ve
got, look at the shorts they’re wearing. We don’t really need a title on the line, to be honest.”
Holloway will look to avoid an 0-3 sweep against Poirier after previously falling to “The Diamond” by submission at UFC 143 and then again by decision at UFC 236. “Blessed” won the “BMF” belt by stopping Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 back in early 2024.
Poirier’s last win over Holloway was for the interim lightweight title.
“I’m going to give you a controversial answer again,” Aspinall continued. “My opinion, it doesn’t matter what it says in front of the word ‘world champion.’ If you have the words UFC and title on it, you’re a champion regardless. Is he the best fighter to ever not win an undisputed title? I would say definitely Dustin Poirier. He’s had such a respectable career that I don’t think the title matters for somebody like him in my opinion.”
Perhaps it’s not such a controversial answer after all.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 318 fight card right RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN2/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 318 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 318: “Holloway vs. Poirier 3” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 318 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
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