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UFC is back in “The Big Easy” on Saturday for a night to remember for native Louisianans. UFC 318 lands in New Orleans with Dustin Poirier looking to go out on top. Poirier headlines his final PPV event in his retirement fight when he takes on Max Holloway for a third at the Smoothie King Center with the ceremonial “BMF” title on the line.
Poirier is 2-0 in their series, submitting Holloway in 2012 and winning an interim lightweight title fight via decision in 2019. Former UFC featherweight champion Holloway defends his ceremonial BMF championship, a title he acquired with CBS Sports’ 2024 Knockout of the Year against Justin Gaethje, the latter of whom won the vacant belt by KOing Poirier.
Porier’s retirement bout, the 35th of his professional career, takes place in his home state of Louisiana. “The Diamond” will reportedly walk alongside fellow Louisiana legend Lil Wayne in New Orleans.
“Some of these guys have characters or masks that they wear,” Poirier told CBS Sports. “Whether it’s fight week or I’m in the grocery store, it’s the same thing. I try to follow my moral compass and do what I think is right, and be a good person. If people appreciate that, I appreciate them for recognizing it.”
Elsewhere on Saturday night, a former Bellator MMA champion gets another shot in the Octagon when Patricio Pitbull makes the walk against Dan Ige at featherweight. Pitbull earned two divisional titles under Bellator at featherweight and lightweight, but struggled mightily in his UFC debut against Yair Rodriguez in April. Now, he takes on Ige, who is 2-3 in his last five but coming off a TKO over Sean Woodson his last time out.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 318, along with the latest odds. Check back all week long for the latest news, features and other content around this massive event.
UFC 318 fight card, odds
- Max Holloway (c) -130 vs. Dustin Poirier +110, lightweights, BMF championship
- Roman Kopylov -240 vs. Paulo Costa +200, middleweights
- Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Patricio Pitbull def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ateba Gautier def. Robert Valentin via first-round TKO (punches)
- Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt via first-round knockout (punches)
- Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio via first-round submission (armbar)
- Ryan Spann def. Lukasz Brzeski via first-round submission (guillotine choke)
- Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey via first-round submission (armbar)
- Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari via first-round TKO (strikes)
UFC 318 info
- Date: July 18
- Location: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans
- Start time: 10 p.m. ET (Main card)
- How to watch: ESPN+ PPV
UFC 318 countdown
Who wins UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since May 19, 2018, and find out.