Poirier to face Holloway for BMF title in July retirement fight

Dustin Poirier's final UFC fight will be a trilogy bout against Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 318 on July 19 in New Orleans, Poirier announced Friday on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Poirier's most recent fight ended in a submission loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June 2024. "The Diamond" was challenging for the lightweight belt.

The 36-year-old brings a 30-9 record into the fight with Holloway and won the first two bouts of the trilogy.

Holloway, 33, is also coming off a title-fight defeat after losing by KO to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 on in October. The 5-foot-11 featherweight had won his previous three contests as well. He's compiled a 26-8 record.

Poirier won the pair's first matchup via submission in the first round at UFC 143 on the preliminary card, then won the second matchup via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 236. Poirier is the only fighter to have submitted Holloway.