Dustin Poirier to Cap UFC Career with Max Holloway Trilogy Title Fight

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Dustin Poirier, the Louisiana-born mixed martial arts star, will bring his UFC career to a close with a blockbuster trilogy fight against Max Holloway for the BMF title on 19 July at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

The 36-year-old lightweight, hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, will face Holloway, 33, for the third time in a highly anticipated clash to headline UFC 318. Poirier previously defeated the Hawaiian in their two encounters—first via a first-round submission at UFC 143 in 2012 and then by unanimous decision at UFC 236 in 2019.

Both fighters are coming off defeats in championship bouts. Poirier (30-9) was submitted by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in June 2024, while Holloway (26-8), the current BMF titleholder, suffered a knockout loss to featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in October 2024.

The event marks the UFC’s return to New Orleans after a 10-year absence, and the significance of Poirier fighting in his home state is not lost on UFC executive vice president Peter Dropick. “It’s a special moment for Dustin Poirier to close his remarkable career in New Orleans,” Dropick said. “We’re grateful to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, New Orleans & Company, and Smoothie King Center for making this possible. The fans are ready for our return.”

The card also features a compelling middleweight bout between No. 10-ranked Marvin Vettori (19-8-1) and No. 11 Brendan Allen (24-7). The pair were set to meet at UFC Vegas 90 in April 2024, but Vettori’s withdrawal led to an unsanctioned altercation at a Florida casino later that year. Their official encounter is expected to be explosive.

Other notable fights include:

• Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips (12-3) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (22-3)

• Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute (12-4-2) vs. Marcin Prachnio (17-8)

• Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice (4-2) vs. Nicolle Caliari (8-3)

• Strawweight: No. 7 Amanda Ribas vs. No. 10 Tabatha Ricci

• Welterweight: Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson

• Welterweight: Adam Fuitt vs. Islam Dulatov

• Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira