Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway Trilogy: UFC 318 Results

For MMA fans, few rivalries capture the journey from prospect to legend quite like the one between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway. Over three fights spanning 13 years and two weight classes, they’ve traded wins and pushed each other to new heights. Their third meeting at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, saw Holloway retain the BMF belt by unanimous decision, closing in on the all-time wins record.

Total fights in trilogy: 3 ·
Holloway wins: 2 ·
Poirier wins: 1 ·
Event date: July 19, 2025 ·
Location: New Orleans ·
Title at stake (UFC 318): BMF belt

Five key facts from the trilogy, one pattern: each fight escalated in stakes and weight class.

How many times did Holloway vs Poirier?

The two icons have faced each other three times across two weight classes. That’s the full count: three fights, one per chapter of their parallel careers.

What were the results of each fight?

• First fight (UFC 143, February 4, 2012): Max Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier by submission (armbar) at featherweight (Wikipedia).
• Second fight (UFC 236, April 13, 2019): Dustin Poirier defeated Max Holloway by unanimous decision to win the interim lightweight title (Wikipedia).
• Third fight (UFC 318, July 19, 2025): Max Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision to retain the BMF belt (BBC Sport (UK-based sports broadcaster)).

The pattern: Holloway leads the series 2-1, but each win carried a different weight class and title context.

Who won Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 2?

Dustin Poirier won the second fight by unanimous decision at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019.

What were the key moments in the second fight?

• The fight was for the interim lightweight championship (Wikipedia).
• Poirier’s pressure and body work stifled Holloway’s volume striking (MMA Junkie (fight analysis)).
• The decision was unanimous: all three judges scored it 49-46 (UFC (official event page)).

What this means: Poirier avenged his earlier submission loss and proved he belonged at lightweight, capturing his first UFC title.

Who won Max Holloway vs Poirier 3?

Max Holloway won the third fight by unanimous decision at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025.

What was the fight outcome at UFC 318?

• The BMF belt was on the line (UFC (official event page)).
• Judges scored it 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Holloway (MMA Junkie (results report)).
• Holloway closed in on the all-time UFC wins record (Wikipedia (event summary)).

The catch: Poirier, fighting in his hometown of New Orleans, came out aggressive but couldn’t match Holloway’s pace and precision over five rounds (BBC Sport (fight report)).

Where is Holloway vs Poirier 3?

The third fight took place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 19, 2025.

What time does the UFC 318 start?

• The main card began at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, with prelims at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (UFC (official event page)).

What is the venue?

• Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
• This was Poirier’s hometown, making the retirement bout even more personal (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).

The implication: Holding the event in New Orleans gave Poirier a hero’s sendoff while also showcasing the BMF belt’s gritty identity.

Who has Max Holloway lost to?

Max Holloway has nine losses on his professional record, including two to Dustin Poirier, three to Alexander Volkanovski, and others to top featherweights at the time.

What is Max Holloway’s overall record?

• As of UFC 318, Holloway’s record stands at 28-9-0 (UFC (official athlete page)).
• Notable losses: Alexander Volkanovski (x3), Dustin Poirier (x2), Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, Dennis Bermudez, Justin Lawrence.

The pattern: Holloway’s losses have come almost exclusively against elite competition, and he holds wins over many of the same names.

Three fights, one trilogy — the numbers tell a story of evolution.

“After the third fight, Holloway closes in on all-time wins record.”

— Wikipedia’s summary of UFC 318

“UFC 318 would be my final walk to the Octagon.”

— Dustin Poirier on The Pat McAfee Show, via UFC (official event page)

With the trilogy complete, Max Holloway secures a 2-1 series lead and retains the BMF belt. For the lightweight division, the belt now remains around Holloway’s waist, cementing his legacy as one of MMA’s all-time greats. For Poirier, the retirement is bittersweet: he leaves as a former interim champion, a fan favorite, and a fighter who gave everything in front of his hometown crowd. The trilogy defined an era — and closed a chapter for both men.

Fans eager to see the complete timeline and scorecards can check the full UFC 318 results for every round-by-round detail.

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