Dustin Poirier’s Last Dance
By: Maddax Ball
On July 19, 2025, at UFC 318 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier will step into the octagon for the final time, facing Max Holloway in a highly anticipated trilogy bout for the symbolic BMF (Baddest M**********r) title. These two amazing athletes are quite familiar with each other, as this will be the third time the fighters have met up in the octagon.
Poirier has had a storied career in the UFC with a professional record of 30-9. What made Poirier special was his heart. He fought the toughest names in the sport: Conor McGregor (2-0), Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker, Michael Chandler, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. This final bout against Holloway is not just about the significance of their rivalry, Poirier has won both previous fights, but also a celebration of Poirier as a whole. The fight is set to take place in Poirier's hometown, adding to the significance of his final farewell. With a career that lasted more than a decade, Poirier has become one of the most beloved and respected figures in the UFC.
Facing Max Holloway for his last fight adds more to the tale of his career. Poirier holds two previous victories over Holloway, the first in 2012 via submission, and the second in 2019, a five-round war for the interim lightweight title. The third fight, however, comes with different stakes. Holloway is nearing the end of his career as well. This fight will signify a passing of the torch moment for the two fighters. They are quite similar fighters, which makes for the exhilarating bouts between the two legends. The BMF title on the line is not a regular championship, it is a fan-made belt originally introduced to crown the fighter that is the toughest of them all. Poirier and Holloway are both fit for the bill. For Poirier, it is more about the magnitude of his career, and the belt is a way to signify this.
The venue of this UFC event adds a full-circle moment for Dustin Poirier. UFC 318 will be held in New Orleans, just a two-hour drive from Poirier’s hometown of Lafayette. It’s the first UFC event in the city in years, and it is hard not to see it as a gift to one of Louisiana’s proudest fighters.
“The story doesn’t get better than this,” Poirier said in a recent interview. “To retire in front of my people, against a legend like Max, for a belt that represents who I am as a fighter, it’s perfect.”
While Poirier has made it clear this is his final fight, the question remains: what is next for “The Diamond”? His post-fight future seems likely to involve family, commentary, and coaching. Given his knowledge of fighting, becoming a commentator would come naturally for him. As time winds down on Poirier’s fighting career, the MMA community is prepared to say goodbye to one of its most memorable warriors. Dustin Poirier leaves behind a legacy of grit, class, and unforgettable fights. Fighters like him are the reason people fall in love with the UFC.