Max Holloway Salutes Dustin Poirier
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Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier got the short end of the stick Saturday night in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite Holloway's unanimous decision win against "The Diamond" to put a dent in the three-fight series (the first two being won by Poirier in 2012 and 2019). Holloway took the scorecards 48-47, 49-46, 49-46.
Holloway was not intimidated, however, as he stood up to Poirier in front of the hostile crowd. "Blessed" will need to overcome that element at UFC 318 in addition to trying to avenge a submission loss to Poirier at UFC 143 in February 2012 and a unanimous decision defeat in the rematch at UFC 236 in April 2019.
SportsLine's Daniel Vithlani reveals his picks for the UFC 318 fight card from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday
Poirier first bested Holloway in 2012 when the two men were still featherweights before he also gave "Blessed" a rude welcome to lightweight at UFC 236, where Poirier claimed the interim UFC lightweight belt via unanimous decision.
UFC 318 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN2/ESPN+) takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). UFC 318 takes place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Holloway, a former Featherweight champion, is looking to bounce back after losing to Illia Topuria by knockout at UFC 208 last October. He won the BMF title at UFC 300, knocking out Justin Gaethje. He has a career record of 26-8, with 12 wins coming by knockout.
Before the fights get underway, join MMA Junkie's Farah Hannoun for a live-streamed preview of UFC 318 in New Orleans.
The promotion has released the UFC 318 cold open video, and it pays tribute to the rivalry between the two longtime UFC standouts, who have fought two times previously. Poirier beat Holloway in Holloway's promotional debut in 2012, then beat him for the interim lightweight belt in 2019.