UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 – Epic Showdown Breakdown and Results

Sports

UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 – Epic Showdown Breakdown and Results

UFC News Headlines | Jun 22, 2024, 11:42 am

By JV News Nation

Welcome to UFC News headlines at JV News Nation, where we provide breaking news and updates on the latest UFC events. As your Senior Editor JV Charles, it’s my honor to serve as your leading source for comprehensive coverage of UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3. On July 19, 2025, the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, will host a stacked card of fights with UFC 318 date and time for prelims at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT and the main card for UFC tonight at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT on ESPN+ PPV. From Max Holloway’s UFC 318 performance to Dustin Poirier’s emotional farewell and beyond, we will have everything you need to know about UFC 318 and UFC news as it happens. Stay tuned for our coverage of the main card for UFC tonight, UFC highlights today, and all the action in between, all with a conservative lens of resilience, honor, and truth.

Key Takeaways

UFC 318 date and time: July 19, 2025. Prelims: 8 PM ET/5 PM PT. Main card: 10 PM ET/7 PM PT on ESPN+ PPV.
Holloway vs Poirier UFC 318: Max Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision to retain the BMF title in an instant classic.
Main card for UFC tonight: Included memorable fights, featuring Paulo Costa’s middleweight victory over Roman Kopylov.
UFC highlights today: Featured knockdowns, submissions, and post-fight tributes.
Alex Pereira UFC: While not featured on the UFC 318 card, Pereira’s recent performances set the stage for future matchups.
UFC latest news: Dustin Poirier announced his retirement, cementing his legacy as one of MMA’s most beloved figures.

The Epic Showdown: Holloway vs Poirier UFC 318

A Trilogy for the Ages

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, UFC 318 will take place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The main event of the card features a trilogy fight between Max Holloway, the BMF champion and former featherweight champion, and Dustin Poirier, the No. 6 ranked lightweight contender, at light heavyweight. This Holloway vs Poirier UFC 318 bout is more than a fight; it’s a battle of heart, grit, and legacy.

Max Holloway’s dominant performance earned him a unanimous decision victory (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) and retained the BMF title in a war that had fans on their feet throughout the fight. The smooth-striking Holloway landed the cleaner and more impactful shots, culminating in a knockdown in the first round. While Dustin Poirier, the Louisiana native, put up a valiant effort, his timing was off and he was unable to make a significant impact against the elusive Holloway. In the second round, the resilient Poirier almost had Holloway with a guillotine, but Holloway survived the scary moment to bounce back and keep pressing forward. After the third round, it was clear that Holloway had done enough to retain the BMF title and spoil Poirier’s retirement fight in front of his home state fans. The Smoothie King Center erupted in cheers and emotion as Poirier left his gloves in the Octagon and retired to the applause of his Louisiana fans. In a touching post-fight moment, Poirier dedicated his career to his family and fans while singing to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and embracing every fan that was in the arena. Poirier said, “I feel like the most loved man in the world. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana, and the company.”

Why This Fight Mattered

As a lifelong UFC fan, the Max Holloway fight was an instant classic that lived up to its billing as a war. This fight showcased not only the skill and heart of both fighters but also the conservative values of perseverance, honor, and the pursuit of greatness. The mutual respect between the two fighters was palpable and exemplified the conservative ethos of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Main Card for UFC Tonight: Full Breakdown

Main Event: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier

As we have already covered, Max Holloway outstruck and dominated Dustin Poirier in a fight of wills, reminding Max Holloway UFC fans why he is a fan favorite in the sport. Holloway was a master at range and movement, as he dodged shots from the powerful Poirier while landing the cleaner and more impactful shots on the Louisiana native. The striking clinic both men put on were some of the UFC highlights today and UFC news as we head to the main card.

Co-Main Event: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov

In the co-main event of the main card, No. 13 ranked middleweight Paulo Costa faced No. 14 ranked middleweight Roman Kopylov at middleweight. Costa was able to outstrike and outwork Kopylov en route to a knockout win that was added to the list of highlights of UFC 318. Costa will look to build on the win and climb the middleweight ranks as the UFC latest news continues to break.

Other Fights on the Main Card

The remaining fights on the main card for UFC tonight also featured:

Brendan Allen defeated Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision to snap a two-fight skid and re-enter the middleweight Top 10.
Vinicius Oliveira outlasted Kyler Phillips in a dramatic closer to the prelims, highlighting the depth of the card.
Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Francisco Prado at welterweight was a war that went the distance and delivered non-stop action.

UFC Highlights Today: Prelims That Stole the Show

A Night of Finishes

The UFC 318 prelims were a fireworks show, with six of the first nine fights finishing inside the distance. Louisiana native Carli Judice started the night off with a third-round finish of Nicolle Caliari in a battle of the girls. Other UFC highlights today included:

Brunno Ferreira, Ryan Spann, and Jimmy Crute each finished their opponents in the first round via submission.
The newcomers Islam Dulatov and Ateba Gautier each made quick work of their opponents with vicious strikes.

Local Heroes Shine

Louisiana locals Brendan Allen and Carli Judice gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, reminding everyone why hard work and dedication pay off in the end. These stories are a reminder that conservative values such as pride and resilience are what make our nation great.

Alex Pereira UFC: The Shadow of a Champion

While Alex Pereira UFC news was not directly connected to UFC 318, his recent performances as the former middleweight champion and current light heavyweight champion have set the stage for future matchups. Pereira’s recent defenses, including knockouts over former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira and knockout victories over Jamahal Hill, has made him a force to be reckoned with in the light heavyweight division. As he continues to add name after name to his resume, fans are already clamoring for a potential matchup between Pereira and either Max Holloway or Dustin Poirier, should he take on the BMF title in the future. The UFC latest news will have all the latest updates on these potential matchups.

Dustin Poirier’s Legacy: A Farewell to “The Diamond”

An Emotional Goodbye

Dustin Poirier’s final walk to the Octagon was a moment of profound emotion. Fighting in front of his home state, Poirier left it all in the cage against Max Holloway. In a touching post-fight moment, Poirier removed his gloves to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and embraced every fan that was in the arena. The former UFC lightweight champion made his way through the crowd and up the stairs to his post-fight interview and delivered one of the most memorable UFC latest news moments in recent memory. “I feel like the most loved man in the world,” Poirier said. “I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana, and the company. I love what I do, but I feel like I did my job in life. I have nothing left to prove.”

A Legacy of Grit

Poirier’s journey from Lafayette, Louisiana, to UFC stardom is a testament to the American Dream that we champion at JV News Nation. His work ethic, humility, and faith are qualities that resonate with our conservative values. As he hangs up the gloves, Poirier leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of fighters.

Why UFC 318 Resonates with Conservative Values

At JV News Nation, we see UFC 318 as more than just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of discipline, courage, and the pursuit of excellence. Fighters like Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier embody the grit and determination that define the American spirit. Their ability to overcome adversity, whether in the Octagon or in life, is in line with the conservative principles of personal responsibility and resilience that we stand for as supporters of President Trump. As we continue to report the truth in a world full of lies, we will always champion athletes who fight for their dreams just as we fight for truth and freedom.

FAQs

What was the UFC 318 date and time?

UFC 318 took place on July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Prelims began at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, with the main card for UFC tonight starting at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT on ESPN+ PPV.

Who won the Holloway vs Poirier UFC 318 fight?

Max Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46), retaining the BMF title in a thrilling trilogy closer.

What were the UFC highlights today for UFC 318?

Key UFC highlights today included Max Holloway’s knockdown of Dustin Poirier, Paulo Costa’s middleweight victory, and a series of first-round finishes on the prelims.