News Summary
UFC 318 will feature a highly anticipated lightweight showdown between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, with Poirier’s retirement adding emotional weight. Holloway comes in as the favorite, while Poirier, the underdog, seeks to end his career with a significant victory. The event, taking place at Smoothie King Center, also includes a co-main event between Roman Kopylov and Paulo Costa, alongside several other exciting bouts, promising an action-packed evening for fight fans.
New Orleans, Louisiana – UFC 318 is set to feature a thrilling lightweight showdown between current BMF champion Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, who is ranked sixth in the lightweight division. The event will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center. Fans can expect the main card to begin at 10 p.m. ET, preceded by preliminary bouts starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Max Holloway, 33, is entering the octagon after suffering a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October 2024. He is considered the favorite for this matchup, with betting odds of -148. Holloway is a notable figure in UFC history with a professional record of 26 wins and 8 losses. He has set various records in UFC title fights, including most finishes and knockouts. Throughout his career, he has triumphed over six former UFC champions and was recognized as MMAMania.com’s Fighter of the Year in 2017.
Dustin Poirier, 36, comes into UFC 318 with a professional record of 30 wins, 9 losses, and one no contest. Poirier is viewed as the underdog in this matchup with odds of +124. His previous fight resulted in a submission loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June 2024. Poirier has faced Holloway twice before, winning both encounters; his most notable victory came when he secured a unanimous decision at UFC 236 to claim the interim lightweight championship. This upcoming fight is especially significant as it will be Poirier’s retirement bout, adding a poignant narrative to the clash with Holloway.
The co-main event features a middleweight bout between Roman Kopylov and Paulo Costa, with Kopylov favored at -225 against Costa’s +185 odds. This fight is part of an exciting card which includes additional matchups such as Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez and Dan Ige vs. Patrício Pitbull. In the preliminary fights, fans will see Marvin Vettori take on Brendan Allen and Nikolay Veretennikov face Francisco Prado.
SportsLine expert Kyle Marley will provide betting analysis leading up to the event, giving fight enthusiasts insights based on his previous successes. The entire main card will be available for streaming on ESPN Pay-Per-View, allowing fans to catch all the action from the comfort of their homes.
This matchup between Holloway and Poirier is drawing significant attention not just for the stakes in the lightweight division but also for the history shared between the two fighters. Poirier has reflected on the personal significance of their encounter, noting its poetic nature as he recalls his UFC debut against Holloway. Their past battles have not only established a fierce rivalry but have also cemented both fighters’ legacies in the sport.
As UFC 318 approaches, fans are eager to see how this highly anticipated fight will unfold. With the stakes at an all-time high, this event promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Northern Ireland Prepares for The Open Championship
Dustin Poirier to Retire After UFC 318 Fight with Max Holloway
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier Trilogy in New Orleans
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 LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of 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 from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
