Overview

• UFC confirmed Poirier’s swan song will headline UFC 318 at Smoothie King Centre as he faces Max Holloway for the BMF belt.
• Poirier holds a 2–0 lead in the series with Holloway after wins by submission in 2012 and unanimous decision in 2019.
• Eddie Alvarez and Daniel Cormier cautioned that public retirement talk can undermine a fighter’s focus and urged Poirier to maintain a championship mindset.
• Max Holloway vows to avenge his two losses and deliver an “all-out war” in his lightweight return following his UFC 300 knockout of Justin Gaethje.
• Poirier plans to transition to MMA analysis after UFC 318 to stay connected to the sport beyond his 15-year, 41-fight career.