Dustin Poirier stylishly closed UFC 318 and concluded his career with his way.
He didn’t raise his hand in the final fight, but Poirier still felt the love from the packed smoothie king center in New Orleans, following another thrilling five-round battle with career rival Max Holloway. For the first time in the three-fighting series, Holloway won, with plenty of cheers on both fighters during Saturday’s main event and after Saturday’s main event.
However, the majority of the social media reaction was against Poirier’s retirement, but he paid tribute to many stars and outstanding but “diamonds.” Poillier has strolled the Octagon 32 times since joining the UFC roster in 2011, compiling age highlight reels including 10-year battle awards (another in the middle), victory in the interim lightweight title, and victory over some of his most decorated contemporaries.
Poilier received farewell messages from Islamist Mahachev, John Jones, Conor McGregor, Beral Muhammad, Jorhemas Vidal, and others, but his legacy was probably best featured on Twitter by the UFC welterweight theme Golimbo, who wrote “Diamonds are forever.”
Check out more social media reactions to Poirier’s final battle below.
Congratulations to your incredible career, Dustin, and thank you for all of the entertainment years. Enjoy your retirement now.
– Johnny Meat (@jonnybones) July 20, 2025
Being paid at Fuldustin is a surprising career of legend
-Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 20, 2025
A fight that you don’t want to see you go to Dustin
-Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 20, 2025
Congratulations, Dustin. You are truly one of the greatest people to step into a cage. It was an honor and privilege to share it with you pic.twitter.com/rqj3fa0ytq
-Makhachev Islam (@makhachevmma) July 20, 2025
Congratulations on your amazing career Dustin! It’s great to share this journey with you. Thank you for all the good times and everything you bring to the team. Enjoy retirement more than you earned it @dustinpoirier #
– Jorge Marambredgefeet July 20, 2025
We love the good scrappers in the company and they have two boys just that! scrappers!
Something amazing! Great fighting young man, Bravo!
Repair head! @ufc
– Conor McGregor (@thenotoriousmma) July 20, 2025
The man, Dustin Poirier, is all in class! I love that guy! #ufc318
– Dustin Jacoby (@thehanyakdj) July 20, 2025
what. A. Battle!!!
Max Holloway is a 155 and mann shit problem. What a career from Dustin Poirier – I shed tears during that walk #ufc318
– Megan Anderson (@megananderson) July 20, 2025
oh
Both are absolute legends– Strange (@JoshForeign) July 20, 2025
Max Holloway stole Poilier’s retirement fight. Ilia Rematch Next? Or Dan Hooker from BMF? #ufc318
– Henry Cejudo (@henrycejudo) July 20, 2025
I really care about the people who win.
– Jason Mayhemmiller (@mayhemmiller) July 20, 2025
The dopeway to fight and end Poire’s career, Holloway continues! Bravo blowjob #ufc318
– Derek Branson (@derekbrunson) July 20, 2025