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UFC 318 results, highlights: Dustin Poirier ends his career with a loss following Max Holloway slugfest

Daniel Yanofsky

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UFC 318 results, highlights: Dustin Poirier ends his career with a loss following Max Holloway slugfest image

The Smoothie King Center was full of emotional fight fans as Dustin Poirier made his final walk to the octagon. "The Diamond" was honored all week as he prepared to face the dangerous Max Holloway in front of family and friends. He was ready to put it all on the line in New Orleans.

On the same night the legendary Manny Pacquiao returned to action to such fanfare, Poirier and Holloway went to war once again for the BMF Championship. For the first time, Holloway beat Poirier via unanimous decision in the latter's swan song. 

From the sound of the first bell to standing in the center of the octagon and battling it out until the end, both fighters, especially Poirier, proved to be the epitome of a BMF.

"I feel appreciated, I feel seen. This week has been incredible. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana, and the company. I never realized I touched as many people as I did just by chasing my dreams," Poirier said after the fight.

WATCH: UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 on ESPN+

Poirier (30-10, 1 NC) used jabs to hurt Holloway at various times. However, as he has done in the past, volume helped Holloway secure the win. He used leg kicks and shots on the inside to damage the body and face of Poirier.

At one point, it wasn't clear what type of fight this would be. Then, round two showcased the best combat sports had to offer.

Both chased the other down in the round, landing combinations. A right hand and a knee from Poirier hurt Holloway. The Hawaiian landed a right and a beautiful three-piece combination that rocked Poirier. The fight went to the floor, and then once back up, Poirier forced a knockdown and almost landed a guillotine choke.

Round three saw Holloway attempt to adapt and land kicks. Poirier looked like the better fighter and landed multiple jabs. Those jabs would damage the face of Holloway even in round four. Holloway still fought back with volume shots. On the inside, Holloway landed uppercuts to a tired Poirier. Body kicks and hooks to the face hurt Poirier.

The last round had the crowd on their feet. Poirier landed combinations that wowed them. However, body shots from Holloway were too much to handle. He continued to land for volume, and did so as he did his signature point to the center of the octagon. For one final time, Poirier went all out against a game Holloway.

MORE: Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier career retrospective

Holloway landed 113 significant strikes, with 46 to the body. Poirier landed 99 strikes, with most of those strikes to Holloway’s legs.

Poirier ends his career on a two-fight losing streak. The former interim champion went out a warrior, and will forever be marked as a legend in the sport. Holloway is now 2-1 in his last three fights.  

Paulo Costa, a former title contender, turned back the clock and looked as dangerous as ever at age 34. Costa beat Roman Kopylo via decision to earn his first win since 2022.

On a night with wild results to start, Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez competed in a Fight of the Year contender. Both got dropped at various points and landed vicious shots through three rounds. Rodriguez landed 77 significant strikes to earn the win, while Holland landed 82.

MORE: Amanda Nunes clears first hurdle on way to fighting again

Holland is now 2-2 in his last four fights, while Rodriguez stormed back and is now on a three-fight win streak.

Many were already dismissing Patricio Freire after his lackluster UFC debut. However, the former Bellator champion rebounded in a big way at UFC 318, beating Dan Ige. "Pitbull" landed multiple takedowns and looked like his vintage, aggressive self.

Freire is now 2-1 in his last three fights, while Ige is 1-3 in his last four. What's next for the Brazilian?

Days before fight night, Michael Johnson was a massive underdog. He proved everyone wrong, bringing it to Daniel Zellhuber and earning a unanimous decision win. Johnson has now won three straight, while Zellhuber has lost his last two.

The Sporting News provided results, analysis, and highlights from UFC 318.

UFC 318 results, highlights

Max Holloway beats Dustin Poirier following hard-hitting fight

Round five: One more round for "The Diamond." Knee from Poirier. Holloway with volume strikes. He landed a body shot and then one to the face. Combinations from Poirier connected. He went for the jab. Big overhand shot by Poirier. Body shot from Holloway. Holloway landed combination shots. 

Holloway landed more body shots as Poirier tried to fight back. Both landed strikes to the face. Poirier connected with a left. Holloway with a body shot and two strikes to the face of Poirier. Big left from Poirier. Body shot from Holloway. Combinations from Holloway. Poirier got hit with several face shots. They exchanged until the final bell.  

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Holloway (49-46 Holloway) 

Round four: Poirier connected with a few shots to start the round. Holloway with a few body shots. Holloway pressed forward and landed a right. He got caught with a jab. Poirier connected with jabs. He landed combinations on the inside. Picking up the pace, Poirier pushed Holloway back. 

Holloway with a body shot, followed by an uppercut. Poirier with a jab. Body shot from Holloway. A body kick from Holloway was countered with a jab. Poirier got hit with combinations. Poirier looked tired. Holloway landed shots from the inside. Body kick connected from Holloway. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Holloway (39-37 Holloway)

Round three: We have a fight! Left hand by Holloway. A counter hook by Holloway. Kick by Holloway. Jab from Poirier. He landed combinations. Poirier with a few jabs. Spinning kick from Holloway to the body. Poirier with sharp strikes. Combinations from Holloway followed by a right from Poirier. 

Poirier with a few jabs. Fast combinations from Holloway. They traded shots that pushed one another back. Poirier's eye looked bad. He landed three jabs. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Poirier (29-28 Holloway) 

Round two: Both tried to chase one another down in round two. Holloway with volume combinations. Poirier with a left hand. They traded leg kicks. A right hand and a knee hurt Holloway. Leg kick from Holloway. Big right from Holloway connected. A three-piece combination hurt Poirier. Poirier tried to put Holloway to the floor, but Holloway countered. 

On top of Poirier, Holloway tried to land for damage. Poirier tried to use leg kicks to stop Holloway. He landed combinations on the feet. They traded shots. A knockdown for Poirier and he tried getting the guillotine. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Holloway (20-18) 

Round one: Poirier clipped Holloway to start the first round. Holloway landed for volume. Both worked the legs. Holloway with a high leg kick, following by a kick to the chest of Poirier. Holloway dropped Poirier. He landed a left that cracked the head of Poirier. Uppercut from Poirier. 

Holloway tried landing a spinning kick. He landed right hands. Poirier with a jab. Elbows by Holloway followed by a body shot. Poirier with combinations. Holloway pressed forward while Poirier answered with a few jabs. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Holloway

12:30 a.m. ET: The main event is up next: The last dance for Dustin Poirier. Can he go 3-0 against the dangerous Max Holloway and win the BMF Belt? 

Paulo Costa turns back the clock against Roman Kopylov

12:22 a.m. ET: Costa went to the body and hit a shot to the head that forced Kopylov back. Out of range, Costa looked sharp. He landed a body shot and an uppercut. Costa's kicks were hurting Kopylov. His knees connected while his hands were down. Costa won via unanimous decision. 

12:07 a.m. ET: Costa tried to be the aggressor to start. However, he was forced back thanks to various strikes from Kopylov. After an exchange, Costa jumped on top of Kopylov and landed hard shots to the side of the head. 

11:55 p.m. ET: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov is up next. Which Costa will we see in this fight. 

Daniel Rodriguez beats Kevin Holland in Fight of the Year contender

11:50 p.m. ET: Flying knees and hard shots continued to land from Holland. On the floor, Rodriguez couldn't block any shots. Holland tried submitting Rodriguez. Now on top, Rodriguez tried to damage Holland. He won following a great fight.

11:42 p.m. ET: Holland dropped Rodriguez with a takedown. He tried to submit Rodriguez. Rodriguez looked sharp with heavy shots in round three. That is, until Holland landed a barrage of shots. Combinations from Holland followed by an elbow. He continued his attack with a knee. 

11:36 p.m. ET: Big body shot from Holland. Left hook from Holland and he stumbled. Rodriguez took advantage, dropping on top of him and going half-guard. Holland tried for a takedown. Big shot dropped Holland and Rodriguez smothered him on the floor. Holland tried to fight back.

11:32 p.m. ET: Both fighters tried to out-kick the other. Holland landed short shots from the inside. Rodriguez with a few jabs. Meanwhile, Holland continued to land kicks to the lower part of Rodriguez's body. 

11:20 p.m. ET: The active Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez is up next. 

Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire earns his first UFC win against Dan Ige

11:15 p.m. ET: Freire was a little bit more reserved to start round two. However, both landed crisp shots at one point. Freire with another takedown in the fight. He forced Ige by the cage in the third, looking much more impressive in this fight compared to the last one. Freire got the win! 

10:55 p.m. ET: "Pitbull" landed a crisp takedown to drop Ige in the first, looking much more aggressive in this fight. He held onto Ige and would not let go. Freire with a knee 

10:50 p.m. ET: Patricio Freire competes in his second UFC fight against Dan Ige. Can the former Bellator champion earn his first win in the octagon? 

Underdog Michael Johnson gets upset win against Daniel Zellhuber

10:45 p.m. ET: Johnson dropped Zellhuber with a left in round two. Outside that, both tried to land crisp shots that would back the other up. Zellhuber would use leg kicks and a right to try and score a comeback win, but he couldn't get the job done. Johnson won via unanimous decision. 

10:20 p.m. ET: Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber opens up the main card. 

10:01 p.m. ET: The main card has started. 

10 p.m. ET: Oliveira continued to dominate through the fight. He ran through Phillips and won via unanimous decision. 

9:51 p.m. ET: Oliveira started off strong with vicious strikes. At various points, he tried to land a spinning kick. A big left hand dropped Phillips in round two. Within top position, Oliveira started striking away.  

9:40 p.m. ET: Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira headlines the prelims. 

9:30 p.m. ET: Both swung away in round one, with Vettori coming back following an impressive start from Allen. Allen continued to punish Vettori, who had a solid second round. Both gave it their all for three rounds. Allen won via unanimous decision. 

9:08 p.m. ET: Former title contender Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen is next. 

8:58 p.m. ET: Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). The first fight to not end via a finish. 

8:30 p.m. ET: Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov is next. 

8:25 p.m. ET: The UFC sent out a promo regarding Dustin Poirier, thanking him for his service. 

8:15 p.m. ET: Ateba Gautier came out swinging and decimated Robert Valentin. Six fights, six finishes at UFC 318. Good luck trying to figure out who gets a bonus.

8 p.m. ET: The prelims have started. 

7:43 p.m. ET: Five fights, five finishes as Dulatov knocks Fugitt out. He knocked him out, woke him up, and knocked him out again. 

7:36 p.m. ET: The last fight of the early prelims is Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov. 

7:17 p.m. ET: Crute won after submitting Prachnio with Chris Jericho move #756: ARMBAR!

7:10 p.m. ET: Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio is next. 

6:59 p.m. ET: Three fights, three finishes at UFC 318. Ryan Spann defeated Lukasz Brzeski via a guillotine choke finish. 

6:43 p.m. ET: Brunno Ferreira sinked in a submission in the first round for the early win against Jackson McVey. 

6:20 p.m. ET: Judice won via TKO, as expected. 

6:10 p.m. ET: The first fight of the night is Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari.

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 318!

UFC 318 results

Main Card

  • Max Holloway (c) def. Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision for the BMF Title (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) 
  • Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Patricio "Pitbull" Freire def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
  • Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 

Prelims

  • Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Ateba Abega Gautier def. Robert Valentin via TKO (1:10 into round one)

Early Prelims

  • Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt via KO (4:06 into round one)
  • Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio via armbar (4:42 into round one) 
  • Ryan Spann def. Lukasz Brzeski via guillotine choke (2:47 into round one)
  • Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey via armbar (3:35 into round one)
  • Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari via TKO (1:30 into round three)

Daniel Yanofsky

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.