Max Holloway has spoiled for Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight. He revenged his past losses and delivered the best performance ever to win the UFC 318 main event.
It was a real war of attrition as Poilier ultimately returned favors as he eventually left everything in the cage for 25 minutes after Holloway recorded multiple knockdowns. The difference was actually the damage done, as Holloway only gave more punishment over five rounds to secure a victory in the trilogy with Poilier.
The judges recorded the fights 49-46, 49-46, 48-47, with Holloway holding the “BMF” title and winning one of the biggest and most meaningful victories of his career.
“I love Louisiana. I know I had to be the villain,” Holloway cried after his victory. “I’m sorry, but thank you for your hospitality. Many mothers*ckers come after this ‘BMF’ belt and come to me.
“This is not my moment. I’ve finished talking. This is Dustin’s retirement fight. Give it up for the man.”
From there, it was an pour of love and emotion for Poirier, as he placed his gloves in the centre of the octagon and soaked in the moment for his retirement battle.
“It was honestly overwhelming,” Poirier said of the entire week of the fight. “I feel grateful. I’ve seen it. I don’t have to go out into battle or see it like this. I’ve always tried to fight, smash it into the next thing and provide me and my family.
“But this week was incredible. I feel like I love my fans, Louisiana and the company. It was incredible. I didn’t know that pursuing my dreams touched as many people as I did. I’m forever grateful.
Poilier retired as one of the most beloved and respected fighters in the history of the sport, falling in the final war on Holloway with another historical legend.
It didn’t take long for Holloway to set the tone after Holloway dropped a straight punch that caused Mash to pop out Poirier and crashed onto the canvas. Holloway unleashed a gust of wind on the ground, but continued to be careful not to punch himself as he went to the finish.
Poilier recovered well, but it was clear that it would be a problem now that Holloway’s strength is fully adapted to the lightweight division. Whenever Poilier began to get aggressive, Holloway countered with a timing kick to keep him far.
It wasn’t until the second round that Poirier found rhythm with his smooth left hand that slid through Holloway’s defense. Undeterred Holloway threw a ferocious three-punch combination that rattles Poilier and sends back towards the cage.
Holloway continued to close Poeire, but the former interim lightweight champion was in a hurry to survive. Back on his feet, Poirier connected with his own good series and another knee that seemed to be Holloway’s wobble.
Out of nowhere, Poirier spiked forward, recording his own knockdown before diving into the guillotine choke, but Holloway escaped as if the absolute wild round was approaching.
Upon rebooting, Holloway began searching for a body kick, and Poirier returned straight back in the middle. In another combination of Holloway, Poirier backed up after he ate a few punches in a row.
Holloway was circling Poarie with a fast fire combination and blowing Poarie away. As a result, Poirier became more aggressive as he advanced with a barrage of shots looking for a knockout.
Volume continued to come from Holloway as Holloway continued to connect with more strikes, but Poirier jumped into the fire and quickly returned to him.
With five minutes left in his career, Poirier left everything in the cage and he came after Holloway every turn. Holloway focused on body shots to slow down Poeire as the light weight continued to be missing from each other.
A body kick from Holloway was followed by a pair of stabbing their right hand again boosted Poirier. Holloway took it down with a big left hook, then pointed to the canvas for the last 10 seconds, in order for him and Poire to clean up another series of punches and end the fight.
It was a spectacular performance when Holloway returned to the lightweight division, and the torch passed as Poirier retired.
Holloway was now moving forward as a legal threat in the 155-pound division, with Poiler and Justingeche ranked within the top 10.