Dustin Poirier finally returned home. Poillier will challenge Max Holloway for the ritual BMF Championship held at the Home State in Poillier, Louisiana on July 19th. Holloway vs. Poirier 3 Headline UFC 318.
Poilier announced the five-round trilogy battle on Friday, appearing on the “Pat McCuffy Show.” It’s a perfect circle moment for the two legends who knew each other from the beginning.
“I’m going to put my gloves in Louisiana, and it all started for me. That’s where the journey started,” Poirier said. “Max is a legend. I only said legend. I couldn’t think of a better guy to fight in a retired battle. I was his first fight in the UFC in 2012 and he will be my last fight in the UFC.”
Poirier and Holloway have fought twice before. Holloway suffered from his first professional defeat at Poirier’s hands when he made his short-term introductory octagon debut at UFC 143 in 2012. In 2019, UFC featherweight champion Holloway moved to fight Poirier for the interim lightweight title of the UFC 236. Poilier’s power was too great for Holloway, as a “blessing” that “Diamond” was “blessed” in five rounds.
Holloway’s lack of firepower over Poirier created a stigma that stuck with him for years. When Holloway returned to lighter weight five years later, people were worried about how fares would be for BMF champion Justin Gesche. Holloway surpassed expectations, regularly overtaking gaethje before clearing up the buzzer beater KO and winning CBS Sports ‘KO of the Year honor.
Poirier (30-9, 1 NC) makes an active defeat effort to lighter champion Islam Makhachev, and one last walk to the Octagon. Holloway (26-8) moves to lighter full-time after losing to former featherweight champion Ilia Topria.
