New Orleans Hosts UFC 318 with Trilogy Fight

New Orleans to Host UFC 318 with Anticipated Trilogy Fight

New Orleans, LA – UFC 318 is set to take place at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday, marking the UFC’s highly anticipated return to the city for the first time in a decade. The highlight of this event is the main event, featuring a BMF title fight between two fan-favorite fighters, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.

This fight represents the third meeting between Holloway and Poirier. Previous battles in their ongoing rivalry saw Poirier emerge victorious on both occasions. Holloway currently holds a mixed martial arts (MMA) record of 26 wins and 8 losses, while Poirier, competing in front of his home crowd, boasts a record of 30 wins and 9 losses. Notably, Poirier has announced his plans to retire after this fight.

Recent Fights and Performances

Holloway previously claimed the BMF title with a spectacular knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. However, he recently fought at featherweight, losing to Ilia Topuria after securing his championship. Poirier’s most recent fight occurred at UFC 302, where he faced off against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, resulting in a loss.

Undercard Highlights

UFC 318 promises additional excitement with a co-main event that pits Paulo Costa against Roman Kopylov. Costa, looking for redemption after losing to Sean Strickland at UFC 302, will face Kopylov, who has won six of his last seven fights, including a recent victory over Chris Curtis. Other matches on the main card include Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber.

Throughout the event, numerous critical divisional contests and intriguing matchups are lined up, ensuring that it captures the attention of combat sports fans.

Broadcast and Ticket Information

For those unable to attend in person, UFC 318 will be available to watch on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+. Tickets for this exciting event are currently on sale, and expectations are high as it forms a significant part of the summer sports schedule.

Rivalry History and Odds

The highly anticipated fight between Holloway and Poirier has been years in the making and highlights their 13-year rivalry in the world of MMA. As a testament to his performance levels, Holloway enters the octagon as a favorite, holding favorable odds of over 2-1 for this matchup.

In preparation for the event, Holloway and Poirier participated in a face-off at Jackson Square, New Orleans, which drew significant attention from fans eager for the fight. Holloway’s last win against Gaethje, alongside Poirier’s last fight against Benoit Saint Denis in March 2025, adds layers to their battle for dominance in the octagon.

As the fight date approaches, excitement builds for UFC 318 and the historical implications it carries for both fighters, particularly with Poirier’s announced retirement intentions adding further intensity to this rivalry.