Max Holloway Won the Trilogy Finale as Poirier Said Goodbye

Max Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025. The five-round lightweight main event at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans ended with Holloway retaining the BMF belt in Poirier’s retirement fight.

A fast start met a determined response

Holloway hurt Poirier early and established an active striking rhythm. Poirier recovered and answered strongly during the later stages of the second round, giving his home-state supporters a substantial response.

The following rounds featured familiar exchanges between experienced rivals. Holloway offered more variety and volume, while Poirier continued looking for harder counters and opportunities to shift the momentum.

The final round preserved Holloway’s advantage

Holloway maintained his output in the fifth rather than allowing Poirier to control the closing exchanges. Both men continued attacking through the final stages.

The judges returned 49–46, 49–46 and 48–47 for Holloway. Every official awarded him the fifth round, completing the unanimous verdict after twenty-five minutes.

A long rivalry ended with a different winner

Poirier had won their first meeting in 2012 and their interim lightweight championship rematch in 2019. Holloway’s third-fight victory therefore gave him his first win in the series.

The BMF defense was Holloway’s achievement, while the farewell belonged to Poirier. After the contest, the Louisiana veteran removed his gloves and received a retirement tribute, ending his UFC career with another demanding full-distance fight against a longtime rival.

Sources

• UFC: July 19 New Orleans event and official judges’ cards
• UFC: early exchanges, later volume, BMF defense and retirement setting
• MMA Decisions: official totals and unanimous fifth-round scores
• UFC event fact sheet distributed by Joe Hand Promotions: 2012 and 2019 meetings
• Sherdog: closing exchanges and retirement glove tribute

Tags

UFC, MMA