Main Event: Max Holloway defeats Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision (487-47, 49-46, 49-46)
This is why we love this sport.
Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier paired off in another classic to close out UFC 318 and Poirier’s outstanding career, thrilling the crowd at Smoothie King Center with an all-action, back-and-forth fight that culminated with Holloway successfully defending his BMF title.
The Hawaiian started quickly, channeling some of what he brought against Justin Gaethje last year at UFC 300 and hurting the home state star early. But Poirier steadied himself and responded in kind, battering Holloway in the back half of the second, much to the delight of the partisan crowd. Over the next two rounds, the familiar combatants traded blows, “Blessed” offering more variety and volume, only for Poirier to counter with stiff shots of his own.
In the final five minutes, the rivals continued to trade in the same fashion, with the champion’s volume out-pacing the challenger’s single-serving power shots. As expected, Holloway invited Poirier to the center in the final 10 seconds, and “The Diamond” obliged, the two men swinging to the horn and the end of Poirier’s incredible career.
All three judges scored the fight in favor of Holloway, who became the first person to defend the BMF title while simultaneously making things very interesting at the top of the lightweight division. While it was Holloway’s victory, the final moment was all Poirier’s, as the departing fan favorite was given a tremendous farewell package and a well-deserved opportunity to say his thank you and goodbyes.
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