News Summary
UFC 318 took place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, setting a record with over 18,000 attendees and more than $8 million in ticket sales. The event featured Louisiana native Dustin Poirier’s final fight against Max Holloway, which ended in a unanimous decision loss. The event showcased New Orleans’ capability to host large-scale sports events, and the city’s tourism benefited from concurrent activities such as the Tales of the Cocktail event and the launch of the Amtrak Mardi Gras train.
New Orleans – UFC 318 took place at the Smoothie King Center, attracting over 18,000 fans and setting a new record for attendance and revenue with ticket sales exceeding $8 million. The event marked the final fight of Louisiana native Dustin Poirier, who faced Max Holloway in a much-anticipated matchup.
Poirier, despite an emotionally charged performance, lost to Holloway by unanimous decision. This fight concluded his career in the octagon, a moment cherished by local fans and supporters. In the aftermath, Poirier expressed gratitude towards his audience and his home state for their unwavering support throughout his career.
With UFC 318, New Orleans solidified its reputation as a premier destination for large events. Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, noted that the city’s ability to host major events, like UFC 318 and others such as Super Bowl LIX, highlights its standing as a championship city. The city is keen to continue attracting such significant sporting events in the future.
UFC President Dana White praised the event as a “huge success,” lauding the vibrant atmosphere and overwhelming public energy present throughout the night. The success of UFC 318 reflects not only the popularity of mixed martial arts but also the effective organization and execution capabilities of New Orleans as a host city. Alongside UFC 318, New Orleans also hosted over 20,000 attendees for the LCMS triennial Youth Gathering, indicating a busy and productive time for tourism in the city.
The event saw a series of exciting fights, with five fighters awarded performance bonuses of $50,000. Notable bouts included Carli Judice, who achieved a third-round TKO victory over Nicolle Caliari, and Islam Dulatov, who made a strong debut with a quick first-round knockout against Adam Fugitt. In addition, Ateba Gautier secured a rapid TKO victory over Robert Valentin in just 70 seconds during the prelims. Brendan Allen also had a significant win, defeating Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision, further establishing his status in the competition.
UFC 318 was not the only highlight during this vibrant summer season in New Orleans. The ongoing Tales of the Cocktail event, which is now in its 23rd year, further enhanced the tourist experience in the city, coinciding with the UFC event and drawing attention to the lively atmosphere. Additionally, the launch of the Amtrak Mardi Gras train, set to begin service on August 18, is expected to enhance connectivity between New Orleans and Mobile, bringing more visitors to the area and aiding recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
Overall, UFC 318 not only celebrated the culmination of Dustin Poirier’s storied career but also underscored New Orleans’ capability to host large-scale athletic events, promising a bright future for mixed martial arts in the city.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: UFC 318 Sets Record in New Orleans
- Wikipedia: Dustin Poirier
- NOLA: Dustin Poirier Loses Final Fight
- Google Search: UFC 318 New Orleans
- WWLTV: UFC 318 Breaks Records
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UFC
- MMA Junkie: UFC 318 Bonuses
- Google News: Dustin Poirier UFC 318
