Dustin Poirier retired after losing a competitive decision to Max Holloway at UFC 318, leaving a respected legacy as a fan favorite and one of MMA’s most exciting fighters.
Dustin Poirier has hung up the gloves.
On Saturday night in New Orleans, Poirier made the walk for the final time, squaring off with Max Holloway for the ‘BMF’ title at UFC 318. Unfortunately, “The Diamond” couldn’t end his career on a high note, losing a competitive decision to Holloway in their trilogy bout.
Poirier leaves the sport as a widely respected figure and one of his generation’s most popular fighters. But where does he rank in the grand scheme of things? We gathered the MMA Fighting brain trust to discuss Poirier’s legacy in MMA, what this win means for Holloway, and other major topics from the latest pay-per-view event.
1. What is your blurb review of UFC 318?
Martin: A fitting end for a fan favorite. The event was centered around Dustin Poirier, and his retirement fight was a classic war. Thanks for the memories, Dustin.
Lee: A total roller-coaster of an event. Thrilling finishes kicked off the prelims, followed by a chewy middle section, and a main card that swung between kick-ass and forgettable. Still figuring out if the top 5 fights were worth $80.
Heck: Exactly what it needed to be: A tribute to one of the most exciting fighters ever. While some fights underwhelmed, we had two top-10 Fight of the Year contenders and a wild prelim slate.
Meshew: Heading into the event, I thought UFC 318 lacked narrative depth but would be fun to watch. It was exactly that.
2. What is Dustin Poirier’s legacy in MMA?
Meshew: Dustin Poirier represents the best of fighting and should inspire future generations.
Sports, at their best, are about transformation and growth through struggle. While people are fascinated by someone like Jon Jones, whose greatness transcends competition, Jones’s story is a tragedy. Fighters may want Jones’s career, but not his personal life. With Poirier, you don’t have to make that distinction.
For Poirier, fighting wasn’t about validation. It was a tool to become the best version of himself. His career was about the journey, not the destination, and it’s a career anyone should aspire to have.
Martin: Your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter.
That phrase got tossed around during fight week leading up to UFC 318, and it’s true for Poirier. He wasn’t the most dominant fighter, often giving up a pint of blood to win. But he embodied heart, will, and determination. He got knocked down but always stood back up. Poirier was never an undisputed champion, which affects his legacy compared to all-time greats, but he’s a future Hall of Famer who gave 100% in every fight. That’s rare.
Lee: One of the Four Horsemen of the UFC’s modern empire.
No one will claim Poirier was a top box office draw, but alongside Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira, he’s been a crucial part of the UFC’s backbone for over a decade. Seeing one of those names on the card guaranteed at least one great fight.
Forget the “he never won an undisputed title” talk. Belts are props. Diamonds are forever.
Heck: One of the good guys and one of those guys when the octagon door locked.
Poirier’s career led to the UFC putting forth extra effort — a rare thing these days — which says everything about what “The Diamond” meant to the sport and company. Few fighters get everything they deserve, but Poirier did. He went out on his terms, financially free, and universally revered.
Poirier will be missed, but his highlight-filled career will live on in the sport’s history.
3. Where does Max Holloway go from here?
Heck: Charles Oliveira, and there is no other answer.
The two headlined an event in August 2015 as featherweights, and an injury to Oliveira led to an unfortunate ending. Now, we can get the fight we deserve from two of the most exciting fighters ever, and for the BMF title.
Currently, I have ZERO interest in Holloway fighting Ilia Topuria again. We saw it, and I can’t see a different outcome. Things could change, but if we’re keeping the BMF title a thing, then make it a thing. Two lightweights holding and defending titles seems right.
Meshew: I hope it’s to carve out his own path with this ‘BMF’ title.
Holloway is unique because he started young and had early success. For most fighters, losing a world title is the beginning of the end, but for Holloway, it’s just a chapter. He’s still only 33, and while that’s an old 33, he’s still putting on exceptional displays and grabbing big wins. Who else has done that?
That said, I have almost zero interest in Holloway as a lightweight contender. Ilia Topuria is the champion, and their first fight wasn’t competitive. A rematch would be worse because Ilia is still improving. Instead, let’s let Max add esteem to the fictional ‘BMF’ title by defending it. Charles Oliveira makes sense next, but who’s turning down Holloway vs. Dan Hooker next year? Let’s make MMA fun for a bit.
Martin: Back into the hunt for a world title.
Holloway stated he was dedicated to his future at lightweight, and it showed in his win over Poirier. He looked bigger, stronger, and hit harder while showing his signature durability. There’s little doubt he’ll be a player at 155. Everyone seems settled on the Oliveira fight, but what about Arman Tsarukyan? He’s not getting a title fight next, so why not pair him with Holloway? That’s a massive Fight Night main event or co-main on a pay-per-view.
Lee: Wherever the hell he damn wants.
Realistically, however, the UFC will utilize him. He played the role of samurai executioner and could do so again (Charles Oliveira? Jim Miller?). He’s also the reigning “BMF” champion, which means matchmakers can pair him with anyone. And there’s always a rematch with Topuria.
For me, it’s got to be Oliveira, if not to send Oliveira off, but to finally give us the fight we missed in Saskatoon.
4. Who was the biggest loser at UFC 318?
Lee: Lil Wayne.
In what could have been a cool moment for the legendary rapper, he was part of Dustin Poirier’s entourage but walked out with little fanfare. Many on social media questioned if he even showed up. Zero mic time, and they didn’t even get creative with Poirier’s music.
And then he didn’t even get to put the “BMF” belt around Poirier’s waist. Thanks for coming, Weezy F. Baby.
Heck: It’s Daniel Rodriguez and Kevin Holland because they got the big fat hose job from the UFC.
Rodriguez and Holland had the craziest fight of the year, with a third round so insane I was laughing. With all respect to Brendan Allen and Marvin Vettori, that fight shouldn’t have gotten Fight of the Night over this one. I’ll be stunned if Rodriguez vs. Holland isn’t on my Fight of the Year list.
Shout out to D-Rod for gritting it out at 38. He deserved that bonus, as did Holland for that war.
Meshew: Marvin Vettori because he’s lost three in a row and four of his past five. With Contender Series around the corner, the former middleweight title challenger is in jeopardy of losing his job. Plus, losing a grudge match always makes you a loser.
Martin: As much as Mr. Heck makes a compelling case for Rodriguez and Holland, the real answer is Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier because they deserved Fight of the Night honors.
Main event fighters often get a leg up on bonuses, frustrating athletes on the undercard. But Holloway and Poirier put on a five-round classic. They earned that bonus.
5. Outside of the main event, who stole the show at UFC 318?
Martin: Brendan Allen and Marvin Vettori, but not because they were the Fight of the Night.
No, they stole the show because the seething hatred didn’t result in a lackluster affair. Allen and Vettori proved real animosity can pay off, wanting to take a piece of each other’s souls. Well done, gentlemen.
Lee: Daniel Rodriguez and Kevin Holland, take a bow.
Their main card bout was wild, with both fighters rocking each other multiple times. The closing seconds in the third featured gassed welterweights scrambling, Rodriguez in full mount but unable to finish.
Not since Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira have I seen martial arts mixed so randomly.
Heck: Ateba Gautier is going to be fun to watch and might win a belt someday.
Yes, I know: “Heck, relax. He’s only 2-0 in the UFC.” But the man is 23 and has potential. I knew he’d nuke Robert Valentin, but I didn’t think he’d make it look so effortless.
Two big things: Gautier needs to be active and build a highlight reel. Slow roll Gautier, giving him bodies to roll over. Gautier is on my short list of prospects to watch.
Meshew: The real answer is Rodriguez and Holland, who had one of the most fun, silly fights in years. Also, shoutout to Paulo Costa, who turned back the clock and is now on the verge of a big fight with Khamzat Chimaev. But my answer is the woman in the first bout.
I was high on Carli Judice coming off Contender Series, and I’m a genius. I don’t know if Judice will win a belt, but she’ll be fun for the next 10 years. Judice fights like an agitated mongoose with knives for hands. She’s all violence, all the time.
One day, we’ll get a Judice vs. Dakota Ditcheva fight, and when that day comes, my spirit will transcend my body.