News Summary
UFC 318 is set to be a monumental event featuring a trilogy fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier at the Smoothie King Center. This highly anticipated matchup marks the return of the UFC to New Orleans after a decade. Both fighters bring impressive records and significant experience, with Holloway looking to reclaim his BMF title and Poirier fighting in his home state before potential retirement. Additionally, a co-main event featuring Paulo Costa vs Roman Kopylov adds to the excitement, alongside several other thrilling bouts on the card.
New Orleans, LA – UFC 318 promises to be an electrifying card featuring a highly anticipated trilogy fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, set to take place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday. This event marks the much-anticipated return of the UFC to this vibrant city after a decade-long hiatus.
The main event showcases a BMF title fight between the seasoned fighters Holloway and Poirier. This bout signifies their third meeting in the octagon, with Poirier emerging victorious in their two previous encounters. Max Holloway, currently holding a professional record of 26 wins and 8 losses in mixed martial arts (MMA), previously captured the BMF title with a knockout win over notable fighter Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier, fighting in his home state and holding a record of 30 wins and 9 losses, intends to retire after this bout following his last match at UFC 302, where he lost to Islam Makhachev in a fight for the lightweight title.
Both fighters bring significant experience and skills to the octagon, heightening the stakes of this match. After claiming the BMF title, Holloway faced a setback when he lost to Ilia Topuria in a subsequent fight, causing him to return to the featherweight division. On the other hand, Poirier’s last outing saw him in the cage against Benoit Saint Denis, making this fight particularly important for both competitors’ careers.
The co-main event will feature Paulo Costa going toe-to-toe with Roman Kopylov. Costa, battling back from a loss against Sean Strickland at UFC 302, is determined to reclaim his winning ways. Kopylov, riding a wave of success with six victories in his last seven fights, including a recent win over Chris Curtis, presents a formidable challenge for Costa.
The main card also includes several exciting matchups such as Kevin Holland versus Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige against Patricio Pitbull, and a bout featuring Michael Johnson and Daniel Zellhuber, making for a well-rounded event packed with talent and competitive fights. The undercard will also feature several critical divisional matchups, adding further intrigue to the fight night.
Fans can watch UFC 318 live on platforms including ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+, allowing a wide audience the chance to witness this thrilling event. Tickets for the show are now available, and the occasion is expected to deliver excitement as part of the summer fighting schedule. Promotions for this event have also included a public face-off between Holloway and Poirier in Jackson Square, an area known for its vibrant culture and history.
With Holloway entering the octagon as a favorite with odds leaning over 2-1 in his favor, the anticipation builds for what could be a defining moment in both fighters’ storied careers. A decade in the making, the rivalry between Holloway and Poirier has captivated MMA fans, setting the stage for what will undoubtedly be a memorable showdown.
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Additional Resources
- UFC: Fight Preview UFC 318 – Holloway vs Poirier 3
- Sports Illustrated: UFC 318 Max Holloway Rankings Update
- MMA Fighting: UFC 318 Fight Card Start Time
- WWLTV: When is UFC 318 in New Orleans?
- BetMGM: UFC 318 Fight Card Predictions and Odds
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
- Google Search: UFC 318
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mixed Martial Arts
- Google News: UFC 318
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
