News Summary
UFC 318 promises an intense showdown as Max Holloway, the reigning BMF champion, faces Dustin Poirier in a retirement fight. Set for Saturday at the Smoothie King Center, the event features a main card with compelling matchups, including a co-main event between Roman Kopylov and Paulo Costa. With built-up tension from their past encounters and significant implications for both fighters, this matchup is generating considerable excitement among MMA fans. The event marks a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers as they seek redemption and legacy-building victories.
New Orleans – UFC 318 is set to be an electrifying event as Max Holloway, the reigning BMF champion, squares off against Dustin Poirier this Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center. The main card kicks off at 10 p.m. ET, with prelims beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Holloway, who is currently viewed as the favorite with betting odds of -148, is eager to bounce back from a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October 2024. Meanwhile, Poirier enters the octagon as the underdog, holding odds of +124 and looking to recover from a submission defeat against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June 2024.
The co-main event will highlight a middleweight bout featuring Roman Kopylov, favored at -225, against Paulo Costa, who is the underdog at +185. This diverse card showcases a mix of veterans and rising stars, promising a night filled with compelling fights.
In addition to the main event, the card features notable matchups including Kevin Holland versus Daniel Rodriguez, and Dan Ige facing Patrício Pitbull. Preliminary fights will see Marvin Vettori competing against Brendan Allen and Nikolay Veretennikov taking on Francisco Prado. Fans can catch the entire main card on ESPN Pay-Per-View.
The atmosphere at UFC 318 carries heightened significance as it marks Poirier’s retirement fight, adding an emotional edge to the matchup with Holloway. Poirier reflects on their upcoming encounter as a full-circle moment, as their first fight marked his UFC debut. He has previously defeated Holloway in both of their encounters, a point that adds extra stakes for both fighters involved.
Max Holloway, 33 years old, boasts an impressive professional record of 26 wins and 8 losses. He is renowned in UFC history for his multiple records in title fights, including the most finishes and knockouts. A former UFC featherweight champion, Holloway earned recognition as MMAMania.com’s Fighter of the Year in 2017 and has secured victories against six former UFC champions in his career.
Dustin Poirier, now 36, has a professional record of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 1 no contest. He has previously defeated Holloway in their past two encounters, including a unanimous decision victory at UFC 236 that saw him claim the interim lightweight championship. Poirier’s experience and historical performance add to the anticipation surrounding the fight.
Sports betting analysis by expert Kyle Marley suggests that the matchup between Holloway and Poirier is one of the most anticipated events of the season, with significant ramifications for both fighters’ legacies. Viewers can expect a strategic battle that showcases the skills and resilience of two elite athletes.
As UFC enthusiasts prepare for a night of high-stakes competition, the thrill of Holloway and Poirier’s rivalry reignites past memories while paving the way for future narratives in the world of mixed martial arts. UFC 318 promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for fight fans, making it a must-watch event.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dustin Poirier Announces Retirement Fight in New Orleans
Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier: Trilogy Fight at UFC 318
Additional Resources
- CBS Sports: UFC 318 Odds & Predictions
- UFC: Official Weigh-In Results
- USA Today: UFC 318 Predictions & How to Watch
- ESPN Press Room: UFC 318 Announcement
- BBC Sport: UFC 318 Coverage
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
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.
