Poirier to face Holloway for BMF belt in final fight of career at UFC 318

Get ready to say goodbye, fight fans — Dustin Poirier’s retirement bout has been booked.

The once interim lightweight champion will make his final octagon walk on July 19 when he headlines UFC 318 against BMF champion Max Holloway.

The pay-per-view event will take place at the Smoothie King Center in Poirier’s hometown of New Orleans.

Poirier himself broke the news during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday, noting his excitement for one last battle against a familiar foe.

“There’s not a better guy I could think to fight in my retirement fight,” Poirier told McAfee. “He’s a legend, former (undisputed) champion, current BMF champion, so we’re going to put on another war.”

When Poirier, known as “The Diamond,” claimed the interim title back in 2019, he did so by unanimous decision over Holloway. July’s main event will mark the third time the two have shared an octagon. Their first meeting came over a decade ago at UFC 143 when Holloway made his promotional debut.

UFC 318 will mark a permanent move to 155 pounds for Holloway, the former featherweight champion. He last fought at UFC 308 in Oct. 2024, and was knocked out by then featherweight belt-holder Ilia Topuria in a title fight. After the loss, he said he was ready to move up a division to avoid cutting down to 145 pounds.

A win over Poirier — not just a fellow veteran but also a lightweight stalwart, would be an emphatic way for Holloway to put the rest of the 155-pound division on notice.

Meanwhile, Poirier looks to end his career on a high note after losing three of his last five fights. His most recent appearance came against lightweight champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 last summer, a fight that ended in the final round with Poirier submitting to a D’arce choke.

No other fights for UFC 318 have been announced at this time.