Overview

• The main event on July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans features Dustin Poirier’s retirement bout against Max Holloway for the symbolic Baddest Motherf***er belt.
• UFC president Dana White curated the entire UFC 318 card around Poirier’s career achievements and his desire to finish in his home state.
• Holloway moves permanently to the lightweight division and aims to avenge his two previous losses to Poirier while defending his BMF strap.
• The promotional build-up has included a French Quarter face-off celebrating Poirier’s Acadian and Cajun heritage.
• Critics have questioned the undercard’s star power and former champions like Eddie Alvarez and Daniel Cormier have warned that public retirement talk could undermine Poirier’s focus.