Dustin Poirier announces retirement
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Dustin Poirier has officially ridden off into the sunset. UFC 318 was all about "The Diamond" down in New Orleans on Saturday. The Smoothie King Center hosted the first Louisiana UFC event in over a decade to deliver the ultimate retirement send-off with Poirier's final bout, a BMF title trilogy fight against longtime rival Max Holloway.
Holloway was arguably the most appropriate choice for Poirier's retirement fight. Holloway made his UFC debut against Poirier in 2012, and they fought for the interim lightweight title in 2019. By winning, Holloway redeemed his two prior losses to Poirier.
Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) didn't get his fairytale ending after losing a unanimous decision to Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23- 8 UFC) for the BMF title in Saturday's headliner at Smoothie King Center. However, that doesn't mean that Poirier isn't grateful for the experience of having his retirement fight in his home state of Louisiana.
Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight at UFC 318 was long in the making. The buildup began with Poirier’s emotional retirement announcement during the 2025 NFL Draft, where he revealed his final fight would take place in his home state of Louisiana,
Dustin Poirier says going toe-to-toe with Max Holloway in the final seconds of their UFC 318 fight didn't go to plan.
There are no more matches to be made for Dustin Poirier after his UFC 318 retirement fight defat to Max Holloway, so what's his legacy?
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