Max Holloway demonstrating his striking skills during the fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318.
Max Holloway showcased his striking prowess by defeating Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision at UFC 318, successfully defending his BMF Championship. This victory marked Holloway’s first win in their trilogy, improving his record to 28 wins and 8 losses. Poirier, fighting in his retirement match, ends his career with 30 wins and 10 losses. The event featured additional significant fights, including Paulo Costa’s victory, making it a memorable night for MMA fans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
New Orleans – Max Holloway secured a dominant victory over Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision at UFC 318, successfully defending his BMF Championship. The fight took place at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday night, marking a significant moment for Holloway as it was his first win in their trilogy, having previously lost to Poirier in 2012 and 2019. With this victory, Holloway’s professional record improved to 28 wins and 8 losses.
Holloway clearly outperformed Poirier throughout the match, landing a remarkable 201 strikes with a striking accuracy of 53%, while Poirier managed to land only 109 strikes. The fight showcased Holloway’s superior speed and striking ability, as he managed to knock Poirier down twice, demonstrating his dominance in the octagon.
This match was especially significant for Poirier, as it was his retirement fight, and he was greeted by a supportive crowd in his home state of Louisiana. Poirier concluded his impressive career with a record of 30 wins and 10 losses, having held the UFC Lightweight Interim Champion title in 2019. He is also known for his victories over high-profile fighters such as Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, and Michael Chandler.
The bout had its thrilling moments, including Poirier’s attempt at a chokehold and ground punches during the final seconds of the second round. Despite the loss, Poirier expressed disappointment with the fight’s outcome, indicating he felt it was closer than the judges had scored it.
The co-main event of UFC 318 saw Paulo Costa ending a three-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov. Additionally, Daniel Rodriguez delivered a significant upset by defeating Kevin Holland by unanimous decision, marking his third consecutive win. Patricio Freire continued the trend of decisive victories by defeating Dan Ige, dominating their three-round battle with five successful takedowns.
In the opening fight of the main card, Michael Johnson emerged victorious against Daniel Zellhuber, achieving his third consecutive win via unanimous decision, despite entering the bout as the underdog. The prelims of UFC 318 featured several exciting fights that concluded inside the distance, showcasing a variety of finishes, including submissions and knockouts.
Opening the show was Carli Judice. Representing her home state, she earned a victory over Nicolle Caliari by finishing her in the third round. The event also included notable debuts, such as Islam Dulatov and Ateba Gautier, both of whom secured first-round stoppages in their respective fights.
The event was filled with high-energy performances from local fighters, creating an electric atmosphere at the Smoothie King Center, which was highly appreciated by the audience. UFC President Dana White acknowledged Holloway’s impressive performance, stating that he is now well-positioned for a potential title rematch against current 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria.
Max Holloway Defends BMF Championship at UFC 318
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