Dustin Poirier failed to win his retirement fight last night (Sat., July 19, 2025) at UFC 318 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La., losing a gritty main event trilogy bout opposite “BMF” champion Max Holloway.
Holloway started out with a bang as he scored a knockdown about midway through the first round. The former UFC featherweight champion jumped on top for some ground-and-pound, but Poirier defended most of the shots to get back to his feet. Holloway scored another
huge shot early in the second that had Poirier stunned. “Blessed” unloaded a whipping combination along the fence, forcing “Diamond” to become a wrestler.
Poirier returned to his feet to sting Holloway and get a big roar from the crowd. He then landed a clean right hand that dropped Holloway. Instead of trying to end Holloway with strikes Poirier jumped the guillotine (classic move). He didn’t get it, but still scored some valuable top time to ride out the round.
Holloway took back control in the third round with great distance control, constant movements, and crisp punches. Poirier kept plodding forward trying to find his window of opportunity. He landed some punches, but Holloway seemed to be hitting the cleaner shots. The fourth round saw both lightweights land powerful punches in the center of the cage. Poirier certainly regained some momentum, but the volume of Holloway was tough to deal with.
In Round 5 — which was the last five minutes in the career of Poirier — it was another back-and-forth affair in which Poirier and Holloway saw success. Holloway was able to pile on some clean right hands in the last 90 seconds that allowed him to pull away. That was before “Blessed” invited Poirier into the center of the cage and they duked it out for the final 10 seconds.
In the end, it was Holloway who walked away with the unanimous decision victory. It wasn’t the fairytale ending that Poirier was hoping for, but still a great “BMF” title fight to end “Diamond’s” career.
Check out the video highlights below:
From his first walk, to his last
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
One final fight remains.
[ #UFC318 | @DustinPoirier ] pic.twitter.com/mHtd1ywWM6
Lil Wayne here for Dustin Poirier's final UFC walkout #UFC318 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/dtaM1OWoYj
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 20, 2025
GOOSEBUMPS.
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
[ #UFC318 ] pic.twitter.com/NZutdlmufs
EARLY KNOCKDOWN FOR HOLLOWAY #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/eztmrTPyQW
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 20, 2025
HE'S POURING ON THE PRESSURE EARLY
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
[ #UFC318 | @BlessedMMA ] pic.twitter.com/ZYEbFq5cw9
CAN'T EVEN HEAR THE HORN IN HERE ️
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
We have a SCRAP!
[ #UFC318 ] pic.twitter.com/KDYUb8lAhm
Round 4 we go! How are you scoring Holloway vs Poirier 3!? #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/lEFT2OB8uR
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 20, 2025
FIFTH AND FINAL ROUND.
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 20, 2025
Holloway vs Poirier 3 | #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/LmcKo98DKo
THE TRILOGY GOES THE DISTANCE #UFC318
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 20, 2025
How did you score it?! pic.twitter.com/sDEUxA6mZQ
KEEPING HIS BELT @BlessedMMA earns the UD victory tonight in enemy territory!
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
[ #UFC318 ] pic.twitter.com/lJlBTpYOWU
"Come get me" @BlessedMMA is ready for ANYONE after tonight's performance!
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
[ #UFC318 ] pic.twitter.com/Bob93eKcCY
Knew what he was getting into for a final fight
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
All respect between these two!
[ #UFC318 ] pic.twitter.com/fXjvAUX3pf
Laying the gloves down
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
[ #UFC318 | @DustinPoirier ] pic.twitter.com/mscA3UwgQk
For complete UFC 318 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
More from mmamania.com:
- Miocic Responds To Pressure From White And Cormier
- White On ‘Possibly’ Stripping Miocic
- UFC 249 Embedded: Rousey Nearly Knocked Out Cruz?
- Midnight Mania! Sterling Vs. Sandhagen Possible June 6 Headliner
- UFC 249 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets!
- Khabib Plans July Return, Vows To ‘Smash Them All’
- Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal
