News Summary
UFC 318 will take place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, featuring a main event lightweight bout between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. This fight marks Poirier’s final match before retirement, adding significant emotional weight. With an exciting lineup, the event promises high-level competition, including a co-main event featuring Roman Kopylov against Paulo Costa. Fans can tune in via ESPN Pay-Per-View to catch all the action.
New Orleans Hosts Exciting UFC 318 Event Featuring Holloway vs. Poirier
New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the Smoothie King Center will be the setting for UFC 318, a highly anticipated mixed martial arts event showcasing a marquee lightweight bout between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. The event features a full fight card with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising talents, with the main card beginning at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Preliminaries kick off at 8 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN Pay-Per-View.
Main Event
The headliner of UFC 318 pits Max Holloway, the reigning BMF (Baddest Mother F***er) champion and former UFC featherweight champion, against Dustin Poirier. Holloway is currently recognized as the favorite, with betting odds of -148, while Poirier is considered the underdog at +124. This bout is notable not only because of the fighters’ impressive careers but also because it is Poirier’s announced final fight before retirement.
Recent Fight Histories and Context
Max Holloway enters this fight following a setback, suffering a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October 2024. Despite this, he remains a prominent figure in UFC history, holding numerous records in title fights, including most finishes and knockouts. With a professional record of 26 wins and 8 losses, Holloway has faced and defeated multiple former UFC champions and earned accolades such as being named MMAMania.com’s Fighter of the Year in 2017.
Dustin Poirier also experienced a recent defeat, losing by submission to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June 2024. At age 36, Poirier boasts a professional record of 30 wins, 9 losses, and one no contest. He previously defeated Holloway in their two prior matchups, including a decisive unanimous decision victory at UFC 236 which earned him the interim lightweight championship. Poirier is widely regarded as one of the top fighters in the lightweight division, and his final fight has added an emotional dimension to this matchup.
Additional Fight Card Details
The co-main event features a middleweight bout between Roman Kopylov and Paulo Costa, with betting odds favoring Kopylov at -225 and Costa at +185. Other notable fights include Kevin Holland versus Daniel Rodriguez, and Dan Ige versus PatrÃcio Pitbull. Preliminary bouts will include matchups such as Marvin Vettori against Brendan Allen and Nikolay Veretennikov versus Francisco Prado.
Expert Betting Analysis
Betting insights are provided by prominent sports analyst Kyle Marley, known for his successful predictions. His insights are expected to influence betting trends and offer a strategic perspective on the fighters’ capabilities and potential outcomes.
Special Significance of the Event
This event is marked by the significance of Poirier’s retirement announcement, adding a poignant narrative to the fight. Poirier emphasized the emotional and poetic aspect of this matchup, reflecting on his UFC debut against Holloway and framing this bout as a meaningful chapter in his career.
Overall Event Outlook
The UFC 318 fight card offers a diverse lineup across different weight classes, featuring fighters with notable accomplishments and future prospects. Fans can expect high-level competition, with fighters showcasing skills accumulated over years in the octagon. The event’s main card and preliminaries will be accessible through ESPN Pay-Per-View, providing fans worldwide with comprehensive coverage of this exciting night of MMA action.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dustin Poirier’s Final UFC Fight in New Orleans
New Orleans Hosts Major UFC Event with Trilogy Fight
Additional Resources
- CBS Sports: UFC 318 Odds & Predictions
- UFC: Official Weigh-In Results
- USA Today: UFC 318 Predictions & How to Watch
- ESPN Press Room: UFC 318 Announcement
- BBC Sport: UFC 318 Coverage
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
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