Key Takeaways
Dustin Poirier finished his legendary MMA career at UFC 318, dropping a decision to BMF champion Max Holloway in his home state of Louisiana.
Poirier spoke to reporters about his UFC journey and what his legacy will look like as one of the greatest fighters ever.
“I always gave it my all,” Poirier said post-fight, with Holloway also praising his opponent in the contest's aftermath.
Dustin Poirier leaves the octagon (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
UFC president Dana White hadn't been to Bourbon Street since 2000, the year he teamed up with brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta in a move that would lead to their $2 million purchase of the struggling UFC, though he returned to the heart of the Big Easy this month on a trip built around one of his brightest stars’ retirement.
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier (30-10, 1 NC), the pride of Lafayette, Louisiana, went home to lay down the gloves where it all started—in the very same backyard that bred one of the most widely respected mixed martial artists the sport has ever embraced. The emotional buildup to UFC 318 in New Orleans was crafted as a weeklong love letter to the man they call “The Diamond,” to the brawler who grew up in front of us all (inside a cage, no less), on his way to becoming your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter.
Through wars with the likes of Dan Hooker, Anthony Pettis, Charles Oliveira, Korean Zombie, Eddie Alvarez (x2), Justin Gaethje (x2), Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor (x3), and countless other MMA elites, the now 36-year-old icon proved that diamonds truly are forever—and that the pressure meant to shape them should be embraced anywhere, anytime, anyplace.
Built in Lafayette, Proven in Battle
Often billed as the greatest UFC fighter to never capture undisputed gold, Poirier’s legacy wasn't meant to live on a mantle. It was meant to be shaped by flames and in the smoke that rose from their ashes. The Louisiana legend, a true OG of MMA and the last remaining fighter from the WEC era, has logged the second-most significant strikes in lightweight history. He walks away tied at sixth for the most wins in UFC history (22), tied at fifth for the most finishes in UFC history (15), and tied at fourth for the most knockouts in UFC history (11) after a nearly incomprehensible 5,314 days active with the promotion.
Across two divisions, he never missed weight, never backed down, and spent nine straight years ranked among the best of the lightweight division. Along the way, Poirier also earned 14 combined Performance and Fight of the Night bonuses and became the third-fastest athlete to notch 20 wins in the UFC, trailing only Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones. Without question, his dues to be considered a Hall of Fame fighter have been paid in full.
"I didn't cut corners," Poirier said at UFC 318 Media Day. "I just took what I was given at that moment and made the best of it to prepare myself for those fights. I always gave it my all, man. I just want people to remember me as a warrior."
Unfortunately, fairytale endings elude most at the end of a combat sports journey. In the trilogy bout between Poirier and Max Holloway, with a highly coveted BMF championship on the line, the “Blessed” man proved his words weren’t just predictions—they were a spoiler alert.
"He took my undefeated record. He took my 13-fight win streak. I’m going to take his retirement fight," Holloway foreshadowed, both accepting the villain's role and calling his shot.
The Last Dance Put Legacy Center Stage
Even Holloway acknowledged it: Poirier didn’t owe anyone a rematch, already holding a 2-0 edge over the former UFC featherweight champion. Still, El Diamante had just one simple stipulation for his final show—legends only. Anything else within that framework was fair game, especially in his home state, for a title that crowns the baddest motherf—er in the game.
Holloway went to battle, pointed down, and ultimately defended his BMF title at UFC 318 via unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)—the first ever to do so—though he quickly and gracefully gave Poirier the floor to address 18,138 fans who brought a record-setting $8,088,122 gate to the Smoothie King Center for five rounds of history.
"It's overwhelming, honestly," Poirier said after the contest. "I feel appreciated. I feel seen. I've never got to step outside of fighting and look at it this way. I've always been going through fighting and trying to grind to the next thing, provide for me and the family. I've never got to look at it from third-person, but this week has been incredible. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana, and the company. It's been incredible. I didn't know I touched as many people as I did just by chasing my dreams. I'm forever grateful, man. I love you all. I'm a kid living his dream out here. Throwing punches, throwing knees. I'm chasing dreams still, man."
After placing his gloves on the bloodied canvas, Poirier left the octagon that night with something no title could ever truly define: the entire MMA community’s admiration for pursuing his passion, embracing violence at all costs, and turning a kid from Lafayette into a living legend.
"I'm just thankful that people got inspired or people followed my journey," Poirier added in his post-fight availability. "You can do anything you put your mind to, and that's what I want my story to be. I want people to realize that no matter where you come from, if you believe and work hard enough, you can make dreams happen. I'm just a kid out here walking out with Lil Wayne, living his dreams. Crazy. Putting on wars with the best guys in the world. What a beautiful life."
Poirier certainly accomplished his mission of retiring from the sport, instead of letting it retire him. He went out on his own terms, poetically exiting the building to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”
"I just want to get home and be a dad," Poirier said of his future beyond the UFC. "Put on some long white socks, barbecue something, cut my grass, and get back to normal life."
BMF Champion Max Holloway's Thoughts Following UFC 318
On beating Dustin Poirier in his retirement bout:
"It sucks. I came in here to be the spoiler. That's what I was going to do, but it sucks to do it against a man like that, you know? I had to do it against Korean Zombie. Now, I had to do it against Dustin. These guys are just great people. Forget what they did in the fight game. They're just great human beings, man. They're just great people. I've got nothing but love and respect for what [Poirier] did. He is a BMF in every sense of the word, man. He was up 2-0 then gave me an opportunity to get him back in his last fight. That's what BMFs do."
On not getting FOTN:
"I hope you guys give s--t to [Dana White]. How the hell did we not get Fight of the Night, bro? What is he thinking, bro? Come on, Dana."
On options for his next opponent:
"This sport is about having moments. I'm glad I went here and did this moment. We'll see what happens. The ball is in the UFC’s court. I'm down for whatever. If it's [UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria], it's Ilia. If it's the guy he just beat, [Charles Oliveira], I have history with him. The whole top ten. There's a lot of fun fights for me here at lightweight, and I'm excited."
