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Tag: UFC 318

  • 6 Hits And 2 Misses From UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3

    6 Hits And 2 Misses From UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3

    The UFC brought a night of action to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, to celebrate an MMA legend as he rode into the sunset following UFC 318.

    It was the UFC’s seventh visit to the Big Easy and its second event at the Smoothie King Center. The last time the UFC was in this building a UFC Fight Night card in June 2015 that saw Dan Henderson knock out Tim Boetsch in just 29 seconds.

    That card also featured Dustin Poirier, and UFC 318 saw him in main event capacity, being celebrated for the end of an accomplished and widely-praised career with plenty of accolades. Poirier’s final fight saw him face Max Holloway with Holloway’s BMF title on the line.

    Holloway had been the BMF champion since UFC 300, when he knocked out Justin Gaethje in the 2024 Knockout of the Year. Holloway, however, was coming into this fight off a loss, unsuccessful in challenging Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 308 last fall.

    Poirier, who made his MMA debut in 2009 before debuting in the UFC on New Year’s Day 2011, also came in off his own successful title challenge, coming up short against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 last year.

    The co-main event saw former middleweight title challenge Paulo Costa, who had lost four of five, look to rebound against the up-and-coming Roman Kopylov.

    Who came out on top? Who disappointed? Find it all out here with the hits and misses of UFC 318!

    Hit – 6 Straight Prelim Finishes To Start The Night

    There were plenty of concerns about the name value quality of this UFC pay-per-view card. But in terms of how the fights actually played out, however, several of the preliminary card fighters need to be shown some praise for their performances.

    The early prelims, in fact, went 5-for-5 in finishes. It all started with Carli Judice putting on a clinic before putting Nicolle Caliari out with a solid knee to the body. Then came three straight submissions, with Brunno Ferreira, Ryan Spann, and Jimmy Crute all finding success in the first round. Spann and Crute’s performances were highlighted in particular — Spann scored a win at heavyweight in his second attempt, while Crute got a victory in the Octagon for the first time since 2020.

    Then came the UFC debut of Islam Dulatov, and he made the anticipation worth it with his first-round knockout of Adam Fugitt.

    To top it off, Ateba Gautier needed just 70 seconds to put away Robert Valentin to open up the televised portion of the prelims.

    This isn’t to say the rest of the card was bad. But to see these kinds of finishes when there were plenty of questions about the card’s quality is a solid answer to those concerns.

    Hit – Michael Johnson Shows Age Is Just A Number

    It seems old-man strength is prevalent in the UFC right now. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, it’s unanimously agreed, was robbed of a win against Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Nashville last week — the same card headlined by 40-year-old Derrick Lewis taking the “0” away from Tallison Teixeira.

    And once again, against an up-and-comer, Michael Johnson brings out a vintage impressive performance, as he defeated Daniel Zellhuber to open the pay-per-view portion of the event.

    While the fight between the pair started with a back-and-forth striking battle, Johnson took the momentum by dropping Zellhuber in the second round. Johnson then fought tactically and worked over Zellhuber’s body and neutralized his speed en route to a decision win.

    Johnson’s not going to challenge for the lightweight title at anytime soon, but it’s definitely fun to still see him in there putting on fun and competitive showings the very best in this sport. And I can’t wait for the next one.

    Miss – Patricio Pitbull Wins But Fails To Impress Again

    I’m going to start by saying I think it was a little ridiculous that we saw the New Orleans crowd booing this matchup and people on social media saying Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull was the worst fight ever. Do we not remember the likes of Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 and Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis?

    But that doesn’t mean the fight didn’t live to what it could have been. I wish Ige and Pitbull’s fight was more exciting. And while Pitbull had the best round of his UFC tenure so far (not saying much), the outing between him and a lower-ranked featherweight contender in Ige doesn’t scream improvement.

    For me, I don’t know if I’d give Ige a shot against another one of these other UFC contenders yet. Whether you think Ige still should have a ranking or not (and I say that with still holding high respect for the man), and whether you think Pitbull should face another ranked featherweight or not, I think there’s one fight more worth it.

    Aaron Pico is about to debut in the UFC, but he just lost his intended debut opponent — the highly-ranked Movsar Evloev. Given what Patchy Mix and Patricio Pitbull have done thus far in the UFC, and that Evloev should be in line for a title shot instead, I think a Pitbull vs. Pico matchup would be an awesome idea. And Pitbull seems to agree.

    Your move, UFC.

    Hit – Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez Bring Round of the Year contender

    We should have gotten this matchup a few years ago at UFC 279, but Khamzat Chimaev’s weight miss for that event brought absolute chaos that robbed us.

    Three years later, it was definitely worth the wait to see Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez play out — and big ups to D-Rod for winning it.

    After wobbling Holland a bit early in the first, D-Rod followed it up by dropping Holland twice in the second. To Holland’s credit, he responded by nearly locking in an armbar and D’Arce choke while scoring a pair of takedowns on Rodriguez.

    Holland then stunned Rodriguez with an uppercut before threatening another choke. Holland tried to pressure, and D-Rod answered with his own pressure. Both had another submission attempt, and D-Rod got mount in the bout’s final minute.

    My brief descriptions don’t do this justice though — you need to watch the second and third rounds, the third especially, for yourself!

    Hit – Paulo Costa Is Back?

    I’ll give credit where it’s due: Paulo Costa looked back to the Costa we saw rise through the middleweight rankings in the late 2010s.

    Costa mixed up his striking throughout his battle with Roman Kopylov, making Kopylov unable to guess what was coming next and troubling him. Costa would even rock Kopylov late in the first round before doing so again twice in the second. Costa was troubled in the third, getting wobbled himself, but he outlasted the stun and fatigue to work his way to a decision win.

    Now it’s time to see if Costa is really back or if this was a one-time thing. And looking at the rankings, a matchup with Brendan Allen could be an interesting idea for his next fight. Perhaps Reiner de Ridder could be an opponent, too, should he lose to Robert Whittaker this coming weekend.

    Hit – Max Holloway Still The BMF

    If you’ve ever talked to Max Holloway outside of the cage, you know he’s one of the chillest dudes. But in the cage, he’s a bad, bad man. And he showed that with the war he and Poirier put on in the main event.

    After a measured start, Holloway dropped Poirier in the first and second rounds, nearly finishing him both times. Poirier, however, showed grit by rallying back with big shots of his own. He’d knock Holloway down in round two and nearly was able to get a guillotine.

    The later rounds featured momentum swings, with Holloway using combinations and movement while Poirier responded with pressure and body shots. The fifth round saw the two exchange in classic BMF fashion, including another throw down in the center — albeit one that saw Poirier clinch up.

    Holloway called out Ilia Topuria for a rematch, this time at lightweight, but I don’t know if that’s the plan. If Islam Makhachev wins the welterweight title (hopefully that match comes later this year), I think the MMA community (hopefully including the UFC) wants to see that matchup made for 2026.

    If the BMF belt really is staying around, let’s have Holloway defend it again. And if he’s sticking to lightweight, perhaps a matchup with Charles Oliveira (above Holloway in the rankings) or Dan Hooker (just below him in the rankings) could do battle? Or for something wild, if only because Michael Chandler is out of title contention and you still want him to do something before a potential Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler White House battle, you could do Holloway vs. Chandler.

    Miss – FOTN: Allen vs. Vettori over Holloway vs. Poirier Or Rodriguez vs. Holland?

    Really? Like, really? We sure about this? Because I don’t know about this one, chief.

    We had Holloway vs. Poirier (a retiring Poirier, mind you) putting on an entertaining battle with plenty of moments and left everyone celebrating the two. We had Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez putting on a wild back-and-forth battle.

    But Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen gets Fight of the Night honors? It was a fine fight, but if we’re talking about — by its name — THE Fight of the Night, one of those other two should have taken it.

    I know that the fighters who compete lower on the card could use more of the post-fight bonuses due to the UFC’s pay structure. That’s not wrong. But when it’s called Fight of the Night and you don’t give it to one of the best fights on the night…then what are we doing?

    It’s just another example of how the pay structure in MMA is kind of screwed up.

    Hit – Thank you, Diamond…

    I don’t think anything else needs to be said. All the hits and then some to this absolute legend of the game.

    Poirier has been one of the most entertaining, all-around fighters I have ever watched. He is a scrappy fighter who made the most of the moments that came his way. He’s had plenty of entertaining fights and finishes.

    And his resume speaks for itself. The wars he has had with the likes of Holloway, Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and more are enough to show you just how amazing this man has been in the Octagon.

    And outside of the Octagon, this man is a class act.

    I’ll tell a personal story. I got to meet Dustin Poirier while attending the 2022 Dr. Atlas Foundation Dinner. The class act this man was other level. He was willing to chat (I mentioned that he didn’t have a scratch on him and this was less than 10 days or so after his fight with Michael Chandler at MSG), he donated for the foundation, and he was so personable.

    And if you saw what everyone — from his family, to his fellow fighters, to commentators of the sport — have to say about Dustin Poirier, he’s a legend inside and outside of the cage.

    Diamonds forever.

    See you in the Hall of Fame soon, Dustin.

  • Dustin Poirier Explains Why He Clinched Instead Of Brawling With Max Holloway In Closing Moments Of UFC 318

    Dustin Poirier says he wasn’t willing to gamble everything in the closing seconds of his fight with Max Holloway.

    Poirier officially brought the curtain down on his legendary career this past Saturday, headlining UFC 318 in front of a hometown crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a highly anticipated trilogy bout against reigning BMF champion Max Holloway.

    “The Diamond” delivered another instant classic, going toe-to-toe with Holloway in a five-round battle where both men scored knockdowns. But it was “Blessed” who looked sharper overall, dictating the action with his trademark pace and relentless pressure to take control of the fight.

    Although the former interim lightweight champion found pockets of success, Poirier couldn’t quite shift the momentum in his favor. Holloway spoiled his farewell by halting the trilogy sweep, earning the nod on all three scorecards in a hard-fought war.

    Image: @ufc/X

    In the final moments, Max Holloway flashed his signature point-down gesture, inviting a wild brawl in the center of the Octagon. Dustin Poirier obliged, but after absorbing a couple of heavy shots, he wisely switched gears and closed the distance with a clinch. The two veterans remained tied up until the final bell.

    Dustin Poirier Felt Max Holloway’s Power And Chose To Clinch In UFC 318’s Final Exchange

    At the UFC 318 post-fight press conference, Dustin Poirier shed light on the dramatic closing seconds of his farewell bout against Max Holloway. When “Blessed” signaled for a final firefight, Poirier was game at first. But after absorbing a few stinging shots, “The Diamond” opted for caution over chaos, initiating a clinch to ride out the final seconds and avoid a potentially dangerous exchange.

    “I wanted to do it [the point-down scrap], you know,” Dustin Poirier said. “That’s why I looked up at the clock like ‘when are we doing this’. You saw me looking at the clock a few times and saying ‘that’s 25 seconds left? Not time yet’. Then he pointed down and I said ‘yeah, I’ll oblige’ and he hit me with a few shots. So I said ‘okay, we’re going to wrestle a little bit, let me clinch up’. There’s only eight seconds left.”

    Holloway delivered a last-second knockout against Justin Gaethje after prompting a chaotic slugfest with his signature point-down taunt at UFC 300 in April 2024. It’s likely that “The Diamond” had that highlight in mind and with his own retirement on the line, he wasn’t about to risk going out the same way.

    Max Holloway
    Image: @ufc/X
  • ‘How Lucky Are We’ – Jon Jones, Belal Muhammad, & Other Fighters And Fans Celebrate Dustin Poirier And Max Holloway As Poirier Retires Following Loss In Thrilling UFC 318 BMF Title Main Event

    ‘How Lucky Are We’ – Jon Jones, Belal Muhammad, & Other Fighters And Fans Celebrate Dustin Poirier And Max Holloway As Poirier Retires Following Loss In Thrilling UFC 318 BMF Title Main Event

    “The Diamond” did not go out the BMF champion, but he shined bright to the very end.

    Max Holloway finally scored a victory over Dustin Poirier in the third and final bout of their series, retaining the BMF title in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

    The two took the first couple of minutes to feel the other out and gain a rhythm, throwing single shots. A right hand from Holloway caught Poirier and dropped him. Holloway looked for a quick ending, but Poirier survived the small onslaught and backed Holloway up with shots of his own. Holloway continued to get the better of Poirier in the round, but Poirier seemed to have a response to fire back with.

    Poirier tried to get to a quick start in the second, as he tried to match Holloway beat-to-beat and tempo-to-tempo. Poirier landed a strong knee and right hand that seemed to do damage. Holloway, however, then troubled Poirier with an uppercut that rocked him, putting Poirier down. Holloway jumped into mount, but Poirier survived the onslaught. Poirier landed a strong combination that caught Holloway’s attention in the last minute of the second round, and then knocked Holloway down with a left hand and catching him in a guillotine attempt.

    The third round showed a bit of a slower pace. Holloway backed Poirier up with a notable combination; however, Poirier did some noteworthy damage to the body in the closing stages of the round, forcing Holloway back. The fourth round saw Holloway work his combinations, while Poirier troubled him with forward pressure and powerful single shots.

    The fifth round was heart-stopping back-and-forth action, as the two traded single shots and combinations before the final 10 seconds, where Holloway got the better of Poirier and forced him to clinch up.

    Max Holloway Retains BMF Title, Dustin Poirier Celebrated To Close Out UFC 318

    Poirier’s professional MMA career began in 2009, going 7-0 before a pair of fights in the WEC. Poirier then made his UFC debut on New Year’s Day 2011 at UFC 125, taking on a who’s who of legendary fighters that included Chan Sung-Jung, Conor McGregor, Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, and more.

    Poirier, who retires from MMA at 30-10 1 (NC), won the interim UFC lightweight championship by defeating Holloway at UFC 236. Poirier’s other career highlight is his pair of victories over McGregor in 2021.

    Holloway becomes the first man to successfully retain the BMF title. He called out new lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who became the first man to knock Holloway out at UFC 308.

  • “Paulo Costa Is Back!” – Fans & Fighters React To Paulo Costa Putting On Vintage Performance In Decision Over Roman Kopylov At UFC 318

    “Paulo Costa Is Back!” – Fans & Fighters React To Paulo Costa Putting On Vintage Performance In Decision Over Roman Kopylov At UFC 318

    Paulo Costa is back in the win column once again, stopping the up-and-coming Roman Kopylov in the co-main event of UFC 318.

    Costa found success by varying his strikes and mixing things up during the opening frame, while it seemed like Kopylov didn’t get into second gear. Costa then rocked Kopylov before the end of the round.

    Costa continued to find success with his striking, especially with his kicks, staying patient on the outside and picking his spots. Costa would rock Kopylov twice more in the second round — though Kopylov picked it up a little bit toward the end of the second.

    Costa appeared to be tiring in the third round but maintained control of the fight’s pace, using his footwork and head movement to avoid Kopylov’s strikes. That is until Kopylov briefly stunned him in the middle of the third.

    Costa scored a unanimous decision win and, as previously stated, called out Khamzat Chimaev — who challenges for the middleweight title next month at UFC 319.

    Paulo Costa Outworks Roman Kopylov At UFC 318

    https://twitter.com/PCStricklandMMA/status/1946787789128786236

    Costa entered tonight with losses in four of his previous five after starting his MMA career 11-0. Last year, Costa suffered losses to former middleweight champions Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland.

    Kopylov entered tonight with six wins in his last seven, including a finish of Chris Curtis in January.

  • “Absolute Cinema” – Fans & Fighters React To Daniel Rodriguez Going All Out In Wild Win Over Kevin Holland At UFC 318

    “Absolute Cinema” – Fans & Fighters React To Daniel Rodriguez Going All Out In Wild Win Over Kevin Holland At UFC 318

    Kevin Holland made it quite the task; however, Daniel Rodriguez was able to get the better of him at UFC 318 — a fight that included a third round that will go down as one of the more memorable rounds in the UFC this year.

    Rodriguez appeared to get the better of Holland in the opening round, wobbling Holland on a couple of occasions as he landed body shots and counterpunches.

    Rodriguez continued his momentum early in the second round by landing a hook that dropped Holland. Holland threw up his guard and was able to get back to his feet, but Rodriguez managed to land a left hand a little while later to score another knockdown. Holland nearly scored an armbar from the bottom and rebounded by scoring a takedown of Rodriguez later in the round.

    Holland threatened a D’Arce choke and landed a left hand upon Rodriguez escaping. Rodriguez, however, clipped Holland around one of his eyes, doing damage and stuffing a takedown attempt.

    Rodriguez needed to survive the third round; however, he was stunned by an uppercut from Holland. Holland threatened a guillotine choke and continued to pour on the punches when Rodriguez couldn’t. Holland continued to pressure — only for Rodriguez to answer back. Holland threatened a choke on the ground, but Rodriguez escaped and got into top control. Rodriguez got into mount with a minute left, troubling Holland, but Holland escaped. Rodriguez locked up a choke but couldn’t get it.

    Daniel Rodriguez Defeats Kevin Holland In Wild Back-And-Forth Battle At UFC 318

    Holland fought just a month ago at UFC 317, scoring a submission of Vicente Luque.

    Rodriguez has now won three straight, having also defeated Santiago Ponzinibbio and Alex Morono over the last year.

  • “Smoothie King Center Acting Like It Just Rewatched Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou” – Jon Jones & Other Fighters And Fans Discuss Patricio Pitbull’s First UFC Win At UFC 318

    “Smoothie King Center Acting Like It Just Rewatched Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou” – Jon Jones & Other Fighters And Fans Discuss Patricio Pitbull’s First UFC Win At UFC 318

    It wasn’t the most exciting performance, but former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull achieved his first UFC victory at UFC 318, defeating Dan Ige.

    The opening round was fairly quiet, as the two seemed to be tactically waiting for the other to make a move. Pitbull managed to strike and score a pair of takedowns on Ige. Ige reversed the position for a bit, but Pitbull managed to get the fight back to the feet fairly quickly.

    The second round continued with the low activity until Ige worked a combination a couple of minutes in. But with less than two minutes left, Pitbull connected on an uppercut that appeared to hurt Ige. Pitbull worked combinations on Ige, continuing to do damage, while Ige defended and landed an elbow. Pitbull landed a takedown before the round’s conclusion to cap the best round of his UFC run thus far.

    Ige, however, came back in a big way, landing a head kick that wobbled Pitbull in the opening minute of the third round. Pitbull managed to guard himself well and grapple his way to recovery, albeit his nose was busted up bad. Ige landed on the inside again later in the round, but Pitbull threatened another takedown. In fact, he’d grab a hold of Ige with less than 90 seconds left; however, Ige somehow defended Pitbull’s attempts to grapple well. Pitbull would take Ige down in the bout’s final minute, with both men landing strikes to the horn.

    All three judges scored the bout 29-28 for Pitbull.

    Patricio Pitbull Earns Decision Over Dan Ige At UFC 318

    This was Pitbull’s second UFC appearance, following his disappointing first outing in a loss to Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314.

    Ige entered with four wins in his last seven. Prior to tonight, he had most recently fought at UFC 314, scoring a finish of Sean Woodson.

  • “Still So Fast For His Age” – Michael Johnson Wows Fans & Fellow Fighters As He Scores Win As Biggest Underdog Of UFC 318

    “Still So Fast For His Age” – Michael Johnson Wows Fans & Fellow Fighters As He Scores Win As Biggest Underdog Of UFC 318

    Coming into this fight as the biggest underdog at +500, 39-year-old Michael Johnson showed age means experience, putting on a solid performance and defeating Daniel Zellhuber to open the UFC 318 pay-per-view main card.

    Both men had their moments in the opening round with their kind of strikes — Johnson landing powerful punches upstairs, while Zellhuber landed around the body with a kick-based offense.

    Zellhuber had the speedier shots in the first round and tried to carry that momentum into the second round. Johnson, however, landed a right-left combo that dropped Zellhuber. Zellhuber tried to get back in it, but this proved to be the turning point of the battle.

    Johnson focused on landing at Zellhuber’s body with his strikes during the third, and he came away with the unanimous decision.

    Michael Johnson Bests Daniel Zellhuber In Experience vs. Youth Striking Battle

    https://twitter.com/ElonovMMA/status/1946762271914377298
    https://twitter.com/CharlieQuinnMMA/status/1946763674003079462
    https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1946762704745857211

    Johnson entered tonight with four wins in his last six, most recently knocking out Ottman Azaiatar at UFC Tampa in December.

    Zellhuber had won three straight but lost his most recent bout prior to tonight — dropping a split decision against Esteban Ribovics in 2024’s Fight of the Year at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306.

  • “Diabolical” – Fight Fans Question Brendan Allen’s Post-Fight Speech After Defeating Marvin Vettori At UFC 318

    “Diabolical” – Fight Fans Question Brendan Allen’s Post-Fight Speech After Defeating Marvin Vettori At UFC 318

    Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen’s grudge seemed to come to an end at UFC 318, as the two clashed on the preliminary card, with Allen scoring a decision win.

    The two began to trade right away, with each making the other stumble in the fight’s opening minute. Allen, however, pressured and brought the fight to the ground, threatening a bloodied Vettori with a rear-naked choke. Vettori survived the attempts, however, and rolled his way on top. Vettori threatened his own choke before Allen got back to his feet with 90 seconds left in the round.

    The second round was closer, with both men having their moments — though Allen’s strikes may have had a little more impact behind them. The two continued their back-and-forth battle into the third round, with Allen eventually taking a unanimous decision on the scorecards.

    Allen’s post-fight speech brought a lot of cheers in the Smoothie King Center, considering Allen is a native of Louisiana. However, Allen’s tribute to his own brother was brought about some dispute from some in the MMA community.

    Vettori recently lost his own brother in a house fire.

    Brendan Allen Scores Victory Over Rival Marvin Vettori At UFC 318

    Allen and Vettori have had bad blood since a scheduled bout between the two last year fell through. The two later went on to have a physical altercation in Florida following a PFL card.

    This win allows Allen to rebound following back-to-back losses against Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez.

    Vettori has now lost three straight and four of her last five.

  • VIDEO: Ateba Gautier Continues UFC 318’s Finish Streak With 70-Second Stoppage Of Robert Valentin

    VIDEO: Ateba Gautier Continues UFC 318’s Finish Streak With 70-Second Stoppage Of Robert Valentin

    Ateba Gautier’s striking is skilled, slick, and powerful — all of which was seen during the UFC 318 preliminary card, where he needed just over a minute to put away The Ultimate Fighter season 32 alumnus Robert Valentin.

    Gautier rocked Valentin with a left hand early, causing him to stumble. Valentin covered up and tried to move around, but Gautier was patient.

    Instead of rushing in with a flurry, Gautier continued to tag Valentin with combinations until Valentin dropped next to the fence. Gautier then landed a pair of follow-up strikes before referee Herb Dean waved off the bout.

    Ateba Gautier Quickly Stops Robert Valentin At UFC 318

    Gautier made his UFC debut in March, scoring a highlight first-round knockout of Jose Medina with a knee.

    Valentin is now 0-3 in the UFC, having previously lost to both Torrez Finney and Ryan Loder, the latter of which came in the TUF Finale bout.

  • “The Real Dude” – Fans & Fighters React To Islam Dulatov Flattening Adam Fugitt In Anticipated UFC Debut At UFC 318

    “The Real Dude” – Fans & Fighters React To Islam Dulatov Flattening Adam Fugitt In Anticipated UFC Debut At UFC 318

    The UFC 318 early prelims go 5-for-5 in finishes — and Islam Dulatov is now 1-for-1 in his UFC outings.

    Dulatov, who was making a hyped debut, scored a quick victory over Adam Fugitt to close out the action the early preliminary card.

    Fugitt had some early success in the fight with leg kicks, but Fugitt worked him over well with punches — both as the main aggressor and as the counterpuncher. Fugitt attempted to grapple with Dulatov, but the German fighter used his powerful strikes to force breaks.

    About four minutes into the first round, Dulatov landed a one-two that dropped Fugitt out cold. Dulatov landed a follow-up shot or two that then officially brought the fight to a close.

    Islam Dulatov Impresses With Violent Display In UFC Debut At UFC 318

    Dulatov has not lost since dropping his professional MMA debut. This was Dulatov’s first UFC bout since knocking out Vanilto Antunes on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Fugitt now falls to 2-3 in Octagon competition.

  • Dustin Poirier Reacts To Joe Rogan Missing His Retirement Fight At UFC 318

    Dustin Poirier Reacts To Joe Rogan Missing His Retirement Fight At UFC 318

    Dustin Poirier thinks it would’ve meant a lot to have Joe Rogan on commentary for his final UFC fight.

    “The Diamond” is set to make his final walk to the Octagon this Saturday in the main event of UFC 318, where he’ll cap off his storied career with a trilogy showdown against reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway. The farewell will take place in front of his hometown crowd at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

    Rogan has been the voice behind countless iconic UFC moments over the years, and his absence from Dustin Poirier’s swan song at UFC 318 feels like a notable omission. Breaking from his usual routine, especially for a U.S.-based pay-per-view, Rogan is not on commentary duty tonight.

    While no official reason has been given for his absence, the veteran broadcaster has been replaced by former UFC lightweight Paul Felder, who joins longtime play-by-play man Jon Anik and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier to complete the broadcast team.

    Image: UFC/YouTube

    Dustin Poirier Grateful To Have Fellow Louisianan Daniel Cormier Calling UFC 318 In Joe Rogan’s Absence

    Speaking to reporters ahead of UFC 318, Dustin Poirier addressed Joe Rogan’s absence from the broadcast. The former interim lightweight champion admitted it would’ve been special to have Rogan call his final bout but expressed gratitude that fellow Lafayette native Daniel Cormier will be part of the commentary team on such a meaningful night.

    “Closing it out with Rogan would be cool, but also, DC, the legend he is, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer he is, just everything he brings is awesome to be able to talk to him when it’s all said and done,” Dustin Poirier said. “[He’s] another Louisiana boy in New Orleans so, it’s special.”

    “The Diamond” is slated for his second shot at the BMF title, hoping to rewrite the narrative after a brutal setback in his first attempt. That opportunity came at UFC 291 in July 2023, where Poirier fell to a crushing head kick knockout delivered by Justin Gaethje.

    Poirier will aim to complete a clean sweep in his trilogy with Max Holloway, having already bested the Hawaiian twice before. Their first meeting at UFC 143 in February 2012 ended with Poirier securing a submission win, while their rematch at UFC 236 in April 2019 saw “The Diamond” emerge victorious once again, this time after a five-round battle to capture the interim lightweight championship.

    Image: @ufc/X
  • “Not On My 2025 MMA Bingo Card” – Fans & Fighters React As Jimmy Crute Earns First Win In Five Years With First-Round Armbar At UFC 318

    “Not On My 2025 MMA Bingo Card” – Fans & Fighters React As Jimmy Crute Earns First Win In Five Years With First-Round Armbar At UFC 318

    It has been a long time since a Jimmy Crute victory could be celebrated, but Crute has secured his first win in the UFC since 2020 after pulling off a win over Marcin Prachino at UFC 318.

    Crute brought pressure from the get-go, focusing on his right hand, while countering Prachino’s kick-based offense. Crute pushed for the takedown and managed to get the fight to the ground with a hip toss.

    Crute couldn’t lock up a choke the first go around; however, he managed to get the fight back to the ground and, like a ground-game master, performed a skilled transition to secure an armbar. Prachino tried to wriggle free but was ultimately forced to tap in the first.

    Jimmy Crute Wins For First Time Since 2020 At UFC 318

    Crute was 0-3-2 in the UFC since his last victory — which came against Modestas Bukauskas in October 2020.

    Prachino has now lost four of his last six.

  • VIDEO: Ryan Spann Secures First Heavyweight Victory With Submission Of Lukasz Brzeski At UFC 318

    VIDEO: Ryan Spann Secures First Heavyweight Victory With Submission Of Lukasz Brzeski At UFC 318

    Ryan Spann has scored his first UFC victory as a heavyweight, defeating Lukasz Brzeski during the early prelims of UFC 318.

    Spann’s sharp striking was on display early, mixing in leg kicks with some solid punches. Spann followed with a takedown, getting into mount quickly and trying to threaten with an arm-triangle choke.

    Spann then unleashed some strong ground-and-pound before locking up a guillotine, scoring the submission in one round.

    Ryan Spann Defeats Lukasz Brzeski At UFC 318

    Spann was unsuccessful in his heavyweight debut in March, getting finished by Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

    Brzeski has now lost three straight and six of his last seven.

  • VIDEO: Brunno Ferreira Slams Jackson McVey Before Locking Up Submission Win At UFC 318

    VIDEO: Brunno Ferreira Slams Jackson McVey Before Locking Up Submission Win At UFC 318

    Brunno Ferreira still has yet to see the judges’ scorecards in any of his fights, as he puts away Jackson McVey with a submission during the early prelims of UFC 318.

    Ferreira circled on the outside as the two traded leg kicks. McVey stumbled on one leg kick in particular but tried to go for a takedown not long after.

    Ferreira then stood up with McVey on his back and slammed him to the mat. McVey then transitioned into mount before locking up an armbar, scoring a quick submission win in the first round.

    Brunno Ferreira Submits Jackson McVey At UFC 318

    Ferreira has won four of his last five, coming into this contest after submitting Armen Petrosyan with an armbar at UFC 313.

    McVey was scheduled to compete at UFC 317 last month before his scheduled opponent, Chris Ewert, missed weight and was released from the promotion.

  • VIDEO: Carli Judice Starts UFC 318 With Brutal Knee To The Body For KO

    VIDEO: Carli Judice Starts UFC 318 With Brutal Knee To The Body For KO

    While the worthiness of the undercard for UFC 318 has been in question, it’s no doubt now that the event kicked off with a bang thanks to Carli Judice.

    In the first bout of the early prelim bouts, Judice came away with a third-round finish of Nicolle Caliari.

    From the opening bell, Judice showcased precision and volume, tagging Caliari with a mix of single shots and combinations — simultaneously stuffing takedown attempts from Caliari. Judice continued to land well in the second, swelling up one of Caliari’s eyes.

    Caliari looked for a takedown in the third round; however, Judice timed it perfectly and connected with a solid knee to the body. Caliari dropped, and a couple of follow-up shots from Judice sealed the deal.

    Carli Judice KOs Nicolle Caliari With Knee At UFC 318

    Judice has now won two straights, coming into tonight off a head kick knockout of Yuneisy Duben in March.

    Caliari has now dropped both Octagon fights she’s had since her victory on Dana White’s Contender Series.

  • UFC 318 Results & Highlights: Max Holloway Decisions Dustin Poirier

    UFC 318 Results & Highlights: Max Holloway Decisions Dustin Poirier

    UFC 318 took place tonight from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, lightweights Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier faced off for the BMF title. While in the co-main event, Paulo Costa took on Roman Kopylov in a middleweight matchup. 

    UFC 318 Results: Main Card

    • Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46×2)
    • Middleweight: Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Welterweight: Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

     
    Preliminary Card

    • Bantamweight: Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Middleweight: Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Welterweight: Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier def. Robert Valentin via TKO: R1, 1.10

     
    Early Preliminary Card

    • Welterweight: Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt via KO: R1, 4.06
    • Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio via submission: R1, 4.42
    • Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Łukasz Brzeski via submission: R1, 2.41
    • Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey via submission: R1, 3.35 

    Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari via TKO: R3, 1.30

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari 

    Carli Judice earned a TKO in the third.

    Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey

    Brunno Ferreira locked in an armbar in the first round.

    Ryan Spann def. Łukasz Brzeski

    Ryan Spann made quick work of Łukasz Brzeski in this heavyweight bout.

    Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio

    Jimmy Crute got the win with an armbar in round one.

    Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt

    Islam Dulatov knocked out Adam Fugitt towards the end of round one.

    Ateba Abega Gautier def. Robert Valentin

    Ateba Abega Gautier earned a first-round TKO.

    Main Card Highlights

    Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber

    Michael Johnson got it done on the scorecards.

    Patricio Pitbull def. Dan Ige

    Patricio Pitbull earned his first UFC win with a unanimous decision.

    Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland

    Daniel Rodriguez got it done on the scorecards in this welterweight bout.

    https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1946776457675694319

    Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov

    Paulo Costa earned a unanimous decision.

    Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier

    In the main event, Max Holloway retained the BMF belt with a unanimous decision win.

  • Paulo Costa Vows To Call Out ‘Coward’ Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 318 – ‘I Want To Hurt Him’

    Paulo Costa Vows To Call Out ‘Coward’ Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 318 – ‘I Want To Hurt Him’

    Paulo Costa has no plans to let his heated rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev cool off anytime soon.

    The two fighters share a well-documented grudge that dates back years. They were slated to settle their differences at UFC 294 in October 2023, but the matchup was scrapped just under two weeks out when Costa withdrew due to surgery. Despite the cancellation, tensions never eased as the duo continued to take shots at each other through relentless social media exchanges.

    Now, after spending over a year on the sidelines, Paulo Costa is set to make his return to the Octagon this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 318, where he’ll take on Roman Kopylov at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. However, “Borrachinha” already has his eyes set on what comes next, with a potential grudge match against Chimaev firmly on his radar.

    Paulo Costa Says Khamzat Chimaev Must Pay For DMing His Girlfriend

    Speaking to media during UFC 318 fight week, Paulo Costa addressed his ongoing feud with Khamzat Chimaev. The former middleweight title challenger made it clear he’s locked in ahead of his bout with Roman Kopylov, aiming to deliver a statement win before calling out “Borz” to finally settle their long-standing feud inside the Octagon. “Borrachinha” emphasized that he doesn’t care whether the undefeated Russian wins or loses against reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 — the fight between them needs to happen regardless.

    The Brazilian powerhouse revealed that his feud with Chimaev has become intensely personal after the “Borz” allegedly sent unsolicited messages to his girlfriend following the cancellation of their scheduled bout.

    “I want to fight [Chimaev] very badly,” Paulo Costa said. “I want to hurt him. It doesn’t matter if he won that fight or not. It doesn’t matter. We need to fight. He talk very bad things about me, in my girl’s Instagram DMs, so this is totally personal. I feel angry just to hear his name, so we need to fight. We are young, we’re going to be on line, so I’m going to do my best Saturday… I’m pretty sure I’m going to get the victory and I’m going to call his name, it doesn’t matter whether he wins or not. This fight just will not happen if he retires.”

    Costa didn’t hold back, accusing Chimaev of lacking character for sending direct messages to his partner rather than confronting him directly.

    “Not the kind of things a real man, confident man would do. Why he message her? Why he didn’t message me instead of her? Coward. He is a coward.”

    “Borrachinha” last competed at UFC 302 in June 2024, where he dropped a hard-fought split decision to former champion Sean Strickland. The loss marked another setback in what has been a challenging stretch for Costa, who has now gone just 1-4 in his last five appearances inside the Octagon.

    Paulo Costa UFC 318 callout
    Image: @borrachinhamma/Instagram
  • UFC 318 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Holloway vs. Poirier 3 And More

    UFC 318 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Holloway vs. Poirier 3 And More

    UFC 318 is almost here, and we here at MMA News are here to provide you the latest on betting odds for the card.

    The card takes place from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, July 19. The pay-per-view main card portion of the event will start at 10PM ET/7PM PT, with preliminary action starting at 6PM ET/3PM PT

    The headline attraction for the event will feature the final fight in the career of Dustin Poirier, as he challenges Max Holloway for the BMF championship.

    In the co-main event, former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa faces Roman Kopylov.

    The pay-per-view card will also feature Kevin Holland facing Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige clashing with former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson meeting Daniel Zellhuber.

    UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 318 as of July 18 at 8pm ET, courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway (-142) vs. Dustin Poirier (+120)
    • Middleweight: Paulo Costa (+190) vs. Roman Kopylov (-230)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland (-625) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (+455)
    • Featherweight: Dan Ige (-225) vs. Patricio Pitbull (+185)
    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson (+455) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (-625)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips (+124) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (-148)
    • Middleweight: Marvin Vettori (+164) vs. Brendan Allen (-198)
    • Welterweight: Francisco Prado (-148) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (+124)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier (-550) vs. Robert Valentin (+410)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Adam Fugitt (+470) vs. Islam Dulatov (-650)
    • Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute (-355) vs. Marcin Prachnio (+280)
    • Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (-245) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (+200)
    • Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira (-550) vs. Jackson McVey (+410)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice (-395) vs. Nicolle Caliari (+310)
  • Watch Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier Face Off At UFC 318 Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    Watch Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier Face Off At UFC 318 Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    We’re about 24 hours away from UFC 318, and MMA News is here to bring you the video from the ceremonial weigh-ins for the card!

    UFC 318 takes place on July 19 from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

    The main event of the evening will feature Dustin Poirier, who makes the Octagon walk for the final time, challenge familiar foe Max Holloway to a trilogy bout with the BMF title on the line. Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway, having bested him at both UFC 143 and UFC 236. Poirier enters this fight off a loss in a lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Holloway won the BMF title from Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 but was knocked out by Ilia Topuria in a featherweight title clash at UFC 308.

    The co-main event will see former middleweight title challenge Paulo Costa look to get back on winning ways against Roman Kopylov.

    The rest of the main card sees Kevin Holland face Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige take on Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson square off with Daniel Zellhuber.

    All fighters for the card made weight. All the fights are on!

    The ceremonial weigh-ins present the last opportunity for opponents to face off before they meet inside the Octagon. Check them out below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel!

    UFC 318 Ceremonial Weigh-In Video

  • UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 Full Weigh-In Results

    UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 Full Weigh-In Results

    We are just one day away from UFC 318, and we’ve got the official weigh-in results for you here at MMA News.

    UFC 318 takes place from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. And in the main event, the UFC’s BMF title will be up for grabs again as New Orleans’ favorite MMA son takes his final walk to the Octagon — against another beloved MMA legend.

    In the main event, BMF champion Max Holloway will place the title on the line as he faces Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout. Poirier has won both fights in the set thus far, submitting Holloway at UFC 143 in Holloway’s UFC debut and scoring a decision over “Blessed” at UFC 236 to capture the interim lightweight title. Both men come into this bout off unsuccessful title challenges, with Poirier losing to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 and Holloway losing to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

    The co-main event will see former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa back in action, as he takes on Roman Kopylov. Costa has lost four of his last five — after starting his MMA career undefeated — losing to former champions Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland last year. Kopylov has won six of his last seven, including a finish of Chris Curtis in January.

    The main card will also feature Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber.

    UFC 318 Weigh-In Video, Results

    UFC 318 takes place Saturday, July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    See above to watch the UFC 318 Weigh-In Show (beginning at 9:45 a.m. ET), and check out the full results below.

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway (155) vs. Dustin Poirier (156)*
    • Middleweight: Paulo Costa (185) vs. Roman Kopylov (185)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland (170) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (170)
    • Featherweight: Dan Ige (145) vs. Patricio Pitbull (145)
    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson (155) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (156)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips (135) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (135)
    • Middleweight: Marvin Vettori (186) vs. Brendan Allen (185)
    • Welterweight: Francisco Prado (170) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (169)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier (185) vs. Robert Valentin (186)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Adam Fugitt (171) vs. Islam Dulatov (171)
    • Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute (205) vs. Marcin Prachnio (205)
    • Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (252) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (242)
    • Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira (186) vs. Jackson McVey (185)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice (125) vs. Nicolle Caliari (126)

    *Holloway and Poirier are allowed to weigh in at 156 due to the BMF not being a “true division”, as compared to division-specific titles

  • Rap Superstar To Accompany Dustin Poirier For Final Ring Walk At UFC 318

    Dustin Poirier will hope for his final UFC fight to be one that’s memorable — and he’ll get that with UFC 318, as he challenges Max Holloway for the BMF title in a trilogy bout that headlines the evening.

    The moments won’t stop there for the Louisiana native, however.

    On Wednesday, July 16, Poirier announced that legendary rapper Lil’ Wayne, who is also from Louisiana, will be accompanying him for his final walk-out.

    “[Lil’] Wayne is walking me out, 100 percent,” Poirier said.

    Lil’ Wayne To Lead Dustin Poirier To The Cage For Retirement Fight At UFC 318

    This will be the third and final encounter between Poirier and Holloway, with “The Diamond” up 2-0. Poirier first met Holloway at UFC 143 — when a 4-0 and 20-year-old Holloway was making his UFC debut. Poirier submitted “Blessed” in the first round. Poirier and Holloway then faced off at UFC 236, with Poirier taking a decision over the then-featherweight champion to become interim UFC lightweight champion.

    Poirier enters this fight off a loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title fight that headlined UFC 302.

    Holloway was finished for the first time since the original loss to Poirier — and knocked out for the first time in his career — when he faced Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title at UFC 308.

    Holloway has been BMF champion since UFC 300, where he knocked out Justin Gaethje in highlight fashion. Gaethje had been champion since UFC 291, where he knocked out Poirier for the belt.

  • Watch UFC 318 Press Conference Video Featuring Holloway, Poirier, And More

    Watch UFC 318 Press Conference Video Featuring Holloway, Poirier, And More

    We’re in the middle of UFC 318 fight week, and we find ourselves just a couple of days away from Dustin Poirier making his final walk to the Octagon. Time to add to the build, and get some more hype around this card, with a good ol’ fashion question-and-answer session.

    The seventh UFC pay-per-view event of the year goes down from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, July 19. UFC 318 will be headlined by a BMF title fight between defending champion Max Holloway and Poirier.

    The co-main event will be a middleweight matchup that sees former title challenger Paulo Costa taking on up-and-comer Roman Kopylov.

    The main card will also feature a welterweight matchup between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez, the second UFC appearance of former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull (as he takes on Dan Ige), and Michael Johnson meeting Daniel Zellhuber in a lightweight matchup.

    Watch The UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 Pre-Fight Press Conference

    As per tradition, the UFC pay-per-view main card participants will be featured in a press conference during fight week. This is the opportunity for fighters to answer questions from media and fans, as well as potentially lay in some smack talk on their opponents.

    Check out a live stream of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 6 PM ET.

  • UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 Staff Predictions

    UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 Staff Predictions

    UFC 318 fight week is here, which means we are now days away from the final Octagon walk for a UFC legend in his hometown. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.

    The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, July 19. The main card will begin at its usual 10pm ET start time, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6pm ET.

    The main event will see a highly-anticipated trilogy bout between two beloved fighters, as BMF champion Max Holloway defends the title against Dustin Poirier, who will be retiring following the fight.

    Poirier comes into this fight 2-0 against “Blessed.” “The Diamond” faced Holloway at featherweight at UFC 143, which marked the UFC debut for then-20-year-old Holloway. Poirier submitted Holloway in the first round. The two then met in the main event of UFC 236, which marked Holloway’s first lightweight bout in the UFC. Poirier defeated the then-featherweight champion by decision, claiming the interim lightweight title.

    Both men enter this fight off losses. Poirier was unsuccessful in challenging then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Holloway, meanwhile, was knocked out for the first time in his career against then-featherweight champion (and now new lightweight king) Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

    The co-main event will feature Paulo Costa taking on Roman Kopylov in middleweight action. This fight was scheduled to take place at UFC 317 last month before being moved to this card. Costa fought twice in 2024, losing to former middleweight champs Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland, making it four losses in Costa’s last five fights. It was Costa’s first time fighting more than once in a year since 2017. Kopylov, meanwhile, has won six of his last seven, most recently scoring a third-round TKO of Chris Curtis in January.

    The rest of the UFC 318 main card will see a welterweight bout between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez, Patricio Pitbull facing Dan Ige in the former Bellator champ’s second UFC appearance, and Michael Johnson facing Daniel Zellhuber.

    UFC 318: MMA News Staff Predictions

    With UFC 318 just a couple of short days away,  Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.

    Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through seven cards in 2025.

    1. Pranav Pandey (20-12)
      Thomas Albano (19-13)
    2. Ryan Jarrell (18-14)

    And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 318!

    Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber

    Images: UFC.com

    Pranav Pandey: This is one of those classic crossroads matchups where two generations collide. Zellhuber is on the rise, and even his razor-thin split decision loss to Esteban Ribovics did more to raise his stock than to diminish it. He’s scrappy when the pace picks up, and he also possesses a finishing instinct that can swing a fight in his favor.

    On the other side, Johnson is the ultimate spoiler. He’s derailed the momentum of elite names in the past and has quietly looked sharper in his recent outings. Give him even a small opening, and he’ll use his experience to take control of a fight. However, I’m not convinced he can match fire with fire against a younger, faster “Golden Boy.” For me, this feels like a straightforward pick. I’m backing Zellhuber to outpace Johnson and make a statement against a seasoned veteran. (Prediction: Zellhuber)

    Thomas Albano: Michael Johnson is always a pleasure to see fight. Though he never reached the pinnacle in his career, he’s usually in competitive outings even today and is always a tough test for an up-and-comer. So, this is going to be a good test for Daniel Zellhuber in the wake of his loss to Esteban Ribovics in the 2024 Fight of the Year. Johnson might be able to take a punch and fire one back, presenting a strong back-and-forth battle, but Zellhuber is younger, quicker, and has the advantages in reach and height. Johnson may have power, but he’ll need a chin, an aggressive pace, and then some to match the volume and speed of Zellhuber. I don’t think “The Menace” does that. Give me Zellhuber – either via a finish in the second half of the fight or a strong decision win. (Prediction: Zellhuber)

    Ryan Jarrell: If this fight was happening circa 2015 I would have a very different take. But we are midway through 2025 now, and Michael Johnson is almost 40 years old. “The Menace” is not nearly as menacing as he once was, and Zellhuber has all the tools to show out in this fight. The “Golden Boy” is younger, taller, longer and probably coming into this fight with a chip on his shoulder after losing a razor close split decision loss to Esteban Ribovics last September. I just don’t see any where Johnson can beat Zellhuber in this fight. I expect Daniel to use his range and frustrate Johnson until he makes a mistake and leaves an opening for the “Golden Boy” to close the show. (Prediction: Zellhuber)

    Consensus: 3-0 Zellhuber

    Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull

    Images: UFC.com & Bellator YouTube

    Pranav Pandey: Dan Ige is easily one of the most resilient fighters in the featherweight division. Time and again, he’s shown the ability to weather adversity and remain composed under pressure. Despite facing some of the division’s toughest names, no one has been able to finish him, which speaks volumes about his durability. Still, inconsistency continues to be his biggest hurdle, preventing him from truly breaking through.

    As for Patricio Pitbull, his UFC debut was a rough one. He was soundly beaten by Yair Rodriguez, and it’s fair to say he hasn’t quite looked like the dominant force we saw during his Bellator reign. His recent performances haven’t helped that perception either. Still, this fight feels like a closely contested battle. If Pitbull can control the pace with takedowns and avoid the heavy hands of “50K”, he has a clear route to victory. But pulling it off will be anything but easy. (Prediction: Pitbull)

    Thomas Albano: Patricio Pitbull did not look great in his UFC debut against Yair Rodriguez. Rodriguez outstruck him, outpaced him, and even did better on the ground against him. Pitbull even had questionable Fight IQ in the bout. Now it’s one thing to lose a competitive fight against a former interim UFC champ like Rodriguez; it’s another to lose in the fashion that he did, getting swept on the scorecards. Pitbull, however, has a strong opportunity in front of him in someone like Dan Ige. Ige is tough in his own right and has quite the chin and heart to be called a UFC fighter, even if he’s lower ranked in the contender standings and has lost three of his last five. Ige did get a strong rebound win by finishing Sean Woodson last time out.

    Pitbull’s ground expertise will be matched up against someone with a collegiate wrestling background. Pitbull’s chin will be tested by Ige’s strikes, and vice versa. This is going to be an ultimate test, and there are plenty of people who doubt Pitbull based on how he looked against Rodriguez. I’m going to say Pitbull just cracked under the first-time pressure lights and will rebound against Ige.

    That said, if Pitbull loses this fight, or he has another bad performance win or lose, then we have to question not only if he made the UFC jump too late, but also if he’s even competitive with the 145ers the UFC has. (Prediction: Pitbull)

    Ryan Jarrell: This is a tough one to pick confidently as both guys are very well rounded and seem to have a somewhat even skillset, or so it seems. Pitbull got off to a slow start in his UFC debut against Yair and it makes me wonder if that was the octagon jitters that a lot of fighters have when making their UFC debut, or if he may be starting his run in the big show just a touch too late in his career. Having said that, I expect to see a much more desperate Pitbull who will start strong and put the pressure on Ige from the opening bell. Patricio Pitbull has a ton of pride and he will find a way to will himself to his first victory as a UFC fighter. (Prediction: Pitbull)

    Consensus: 3-0 Pitbull

    Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez

    Images: UFC.com

    Pranav Pandey: Truth be told, Kevin Holland has been showing real improvement after hitting a rough patch. Let’s not forget, most of his losses came against elite competition who exposed gaps in his overall game. But with “Trailblazer,” unpredictability is always part of the package. You never really know what you’re going to get, except that it’ll be entertaining.

    On the other side, Rodriguez is a tough, durable opponent who’s managed to bounce back with two straight wins after dropping three in a row. He’s got heavy hands and a gritty style, but one thing that stands out is his tendency to slow down in the later rounds. Against someone like Holland, who thrives when the pace picks up, that could be a real problem.

    I see this fight leaning in Holland’s favor, especially if he stays aggressive and maintains his rhythm. If he keeps the pressure on, I believe he gets it done. (Prediction: Holland)

    Thomas Albano: Kevin Holland has come into question in the past over how serious he takes his fights; however, he’s really looked like he’s living up to potential in his last couple of outings. Since dropping back to welterweight earlier this year, Holland has racked up back-to-back performance bonuses in wins over Gunnar Nelson and Vicente Luque – the latter coming just last month at UFC 316. D-Rod has recently claimed wins over Alex Morono and Santiago Ponzinibbio, but it doesn’t scream ready for a guy like Holland – especially since he was on a three-fight skid before those two wins.

    Holland’s got the height and reach advantages, and he’s actually the younger fighter with MORE fight experience despite arriving to the UFC a couple of years before Rodriguez. I’m staying hopeful that Holland is finding a true place for himself at 170 and scores a statement win here. (Prediction: Holland)

    Ryan Jarrell: Kevin Holland is coming off two consecutive impressive wins over Gunner Nelson and Vicente Luque. ‘Big Mouth’ is way more dangerous at welterweight than when he fights the naturally thicker competition at Middleweight. Additionally, Holland has a seven inch reach advantage and is six years younger than Rodriguez. Look for Kevin to make it three wins in a row at 170 and start to make some real noise in the division he should have been in all along. (Prediction: Holland)

    Consensus: 3-0 Holland

    Middleweight: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov

    Images: UFC.com

    Pranav Pandey: This might just be one of the most exciting fights on the entire card, and I’m genuinely looking forward to it. Kopylov has quietly put together an impressive run, and while that submission loss to Anthony Hernandez stands out on paper, it doesn’t tell the full story of how skilled he really is. His striking is razor-sharp, he carries serious knockout power, and stylistically, he’s a nightmare if you give him space to operate. The big question now is whether he can handle someone like Paulo Costa.

    Now, let’s be honest. Costa hasn’t looked like the wrecking ball he once was. A string of losses, inactivity, and some questionable performances have taken the shine off his name. But still, when he’s locked in, “Borrachinha” is an absolute menace. I don’t think Kopylov will be rushing in blindly, because once Costa starts moving forward with intent, he’s like a pressure-cooker with fists.

    To me, this feels like a make-or-break fight for Costa. I believe he knows the stakes and will come into this one with a renewed sense of urgency. That said, he’ll need to be cautious, because Kopylov’s well-rounded skill set can pose real problems if Costa lets his foot off the gas. (Prediction: Costa)

    Thomas Albano: There is zero chance I ride with Costa in this fight. I was barely on his hype train when he made his way up, and he lost all credibility with me as a legitimate contender when he had the performance that he had against Israel Adesanya. That said, I’ll give him this – he actually fought more than once in a year last year and he looked great when facing Sean Strickland his last time out. At least three of Costa’s losses are not bad in terms of opponent (and the thing with the Marvin Vettori fight is that it was out of the division technically), but it’s hard when you’re a fighter on that kind of skid, and you’re taking on someone who’s on the rise such as Kopylov.

    Kopylov has power in his strikes that can match Costa’s. He’s also got good footwork and a developing wrestling game on top of that. Costa needs the win here; however, Kopylov will make a strong statement by coming out on top with a strong performance. Given Kopylov’s rise and slowly developing all-roundness, I’m going to pick him via decision. (Prediction: Kopylov)

    Ryan Jarrell: I am trying not to overthink this one, because when I do I find all these reasons why Kopylov wins. But my initial instinct was to lean Costa because of his boxing and power. Roman is definitely a wild card and has the tools to beat almost anyone at middleweight on any given night. But Paulo has fought the tougher competition and his only losses are to the absolute best in the division. I believe Costa will dictate where this fight takes place and his power will lead to him to a decision victory. (Prediction: Costa)

    Consensus: 2-1 Costa

    Lightweight: BMF Title: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier

    Images: UFC.com & UFC YouTube

    Pranav Pandey: These two warriors know each other like the back of their bruised hands. Both men have shown time and again that they can crank up the violence on command, and while we’ve seen nearly everything from these all-action veterans, there’s still something magnetic about watching them collide. Their last meeting was a fan-favorite classic filled with nonstop action.

    Poirier is stepping into the Octagon one last time against the very man he’s already beaten twice. But don’t let that 2-0 record fool you; this is no victory lap. “The Diamond” is throwing himself into the fire once again, fully aware of how dangerous “Blessed” can be. Yes, Holloway is coming off a devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, but let’s not kid ourselves. This is a different opponent, a different stage, and a different Max.

    Like Poirier, Holloway doesn’t know how to take a backward step. He’s made a career out of throwing volume like a man possessed. And while I fully expect another chaotic war, I have a strong feeling it won’t go the distance. I think Holloway has absorbed more cumulative damage over the years, and that wear and tear might finally catch up to him. If Poirier stays disciplined and avoids diving into those adrenaline-fueled guillotines, I believe “The Diamond” gets the finish and the storybook ending he’s been chasing. (Prediction: Poirier)

    Thomas Albano: Throughout my journey from teenhood to adulthood, I’ve watched the rises of Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, and I’ve watched their first two encounters in the Octagon. Now, I get to witness their third. These two have become my favorite fighters today, and in the words of Tim McGraw, I love it, I hate it, I want some more of it. I loved the battles between these two that have already happened. I love that Poirier gets to end his career in this kind of fight. But it stinks that one of these two is going to have to lose this matchup. I just hope it doesn’t end in a way where we’re going to talk about someone’s stock (namely Holloway since he’s still going to be fighting after this) dropping.

    Now for the fight itself, this is the hardest pick of the night. Something might seem in the air that makes it feel like the third time is going to be the charm for Holloway. I don’t doubt that and wouldn’t put it past Holloway to win this; however, I have my concerns. Dana White had some skepticism about Holloway in terms of his size when first trying out lightweight – back when he and Poirier fought for the second time. Holloway looked more even in terms of size when he fought Gaethje, but will Poirier still look like the bigger fighter when they match up again? My thoughts say yes – even with Holloway as the slightly taller fighter.

    The concern for Holloway is if he’ll be able to work around Poirier’s reach. The concern for Poirier is if his chin can handle the boxing of Holloway. I could say Poirier has the edge if this one goes to the ground, but who am I kidding? This is NOT going to the ground unless someone gets a knockdown. This one’s tough, and I wouldn’t bet on this unless it’s a go the distance prop, but I’ll take Poirier to ride into the sunset with a win – either by a narrow unanimous decision (48-47s on all three cards?) or a controversial split decision. (Prediction: Poirier)

    Ryan Jarrell: These are two of my all time favorite fighters so I’d love to say this fight ends in a draw so neither man takes a loss on their record. But that’s not going to happen. The last time these two fought was back in 2019 when Dustin won a unanimous decision over 5 exciting action packed rounds. It is safe to say that both men have evolved tremendously since that contest, so we may be in for absolute treat as fans for this hugely anticipated main event scrap. I belief this will be a very even matchup on the feet and I do expect it to stay on the feet for the majority of the fight. Ultimately, I think ‘The Diamond’ will have the more meaningful moments and land more significant strikes en route to a decision victory and sail off into retirement on a high note. (Prediction: Poirier)

    Consensus: 3-0 Poirier

    That’ll do it for our UFC 318 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!

    Also, you can check out the full UFC 318 card below.

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier
    • Middleweight: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
    • Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull
    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira
    • Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen
    • Welterweight: Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov
    • Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier vs. Robert Valentin

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov
    • Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio
    • Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs. Łukasz Brzeski
    • Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey
    • Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari
  • Is The BMF Title A Joke Or Legitimate? UFC Analyst Asks The Hard Questions About UFC 318

    Is The BMF Title A Joke Or Legitimate? UFC Analyst Asks The Hard Questions About UFC 318

    When the BMF title was first created by the UFC in 2019, there were various split opinions about the championship. Some called it genius, some called it a gimmick. But it seemed that such a belt was a one-and-done matter.

    But since then, there have been two other BMF title fights in the UFC and two more BMF champions — all within the last two years. And the title will be on the line again come this Saturday at UFC 318, when Dustin Poirier challenges BMF titleholder Max Holloway in the retirement fight for “The Diamond.”

    This has led to a lot of speculation and debate about the legitimacy of such a title (from the perspective of it being a sanctioned championship) — and if it’s worth the time and money of both the UFC and its fans.

    MMA analyst and personality Luke Thomas sat down with Submission Radio recently and shared his thoughts about the belt. In spite of some feeling that the BMF title would be retired alongside Poirier should he win, Thomas suggests that this won’t be the last we see of such a strap.

    In fact, Thomas goes as far as to say with the UFC’s event schedule, they need such a thing.

    “No, they need it. UFC needs it,” Thomas said. “They need another belt in rotation just to put at the top of this of these pay-per-views. They can’t maintain, again, I’m gonna say it again, they can’t maintain their pay-per-view schedule.

    Luke Thomas: UFC Event Schedule, Dependency On Title Fights For PPVs Is At Fault For Continued Use Of BMF Title

    The BMF title was first created for the UFC 244 clash between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal won the championship with a third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO, giving him the belt, which was strapped around him by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

    In July 2023, to the surprise of plenty, the BMF belt was brought back in a fight involving Poirier, as he and Justin Gaethje fought for the title in the main event of UFC 291. Gaethje won the bout with a devastating head-kick knockout.

    Gaethje would then face Holloway with the title on the line at UFC 300, with Holloway winning the fight with his legendary last-second knockout of Gaethje.

    The BMF title, however, was not on the line when Holloway fought and lost to Ilia Topuria in UFC 308’s featherweight title main event.

    While Thomas admitted to Submission Radio that such a situation is “wishy-washy,” it’s not going to take away from the UFC’s decision to continue to use the championship. He cited the UFC’s need in this modern era for a championship to be on the line in the main event of almost every UFC pay-per-view — compared to when the UFC could promote a pay-per-view with a non-title main event (and one not featuring Conor McGregor for that matter) in previous years.

    “You might say, ‘Hey, I don’t need a belt on the top of every card.’ But the UFC doesn’t believe that,” Thomas said. “They believe that they have to have one. They don’t have enough of them in rotation at any given time to be able to just like, ‘Oh, we don’t need the BMF belt.’

    “Like, it was once a joke and now they’re like, ‘You know what? We could actually kind of use this thing.’ It’s not the first time that it’s been featured in a headlining bout on a UFC pay-per-view. Like, they need it.”

    UFC 318 takes place this Saturday, July 19, from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the third meeting between Holloway and Poirier, with Poirier winning both of the previous outings.

  • Former Opponent Breaks Down What a Dustin Poirier Onslaught Feels Like Trading in the Pocket

    Former Opponent Breaks Down What a Dustin Poirier Onslaught Feels Like Trading in the Pocket

    Dustin Poirier will make his final walk to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 318, in his hometown of New Orleans, challenging an old rival in Max Holloway for the BMF title in the main event.

    This will be the third time Poirier and Holloway will meet in the Octagon, with Poirier having won both of the previous encounters.

    Poirier’s impending retirement has brought about a reflection on his legendary career in the sport and other classic fights and rivalries that Poirier has been a part of. In addition to multiple fights with Holloway in the UFC, Poirier has also been involved in rivalries with the likes of Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, and Eddie Alvarez.

    When asked by The Schmo about what keys will lead Poirier to a third victory over Holloway — based on his own experiences in the cage with “The Diamond” — Alvarez says it’s Poirier mixing up flurries with technical striking.

    “Honestly, What Dustin’s great at is putting on sprints,” Alvarez said. “Dustin is calculated. He doesn’t get hit with big shots too, too, too often. And he’s really good at putting on sprints where he’ll pick his shots and he’ll do a 15-second sprint where it’s just a barrage, barrage, barrage.”

    Eddie Alvarez Has High Hopes, Some Concerns As Former Foe Dustin Poirier Prepares For Retirement Fight At UFC 318

    Alvarez and Poirier first did battle at UFC 211, with that fight ending in a no contest due to Alvarez landing illegal knees on a downed Poirier. Poirier would win fights with Anthony Pettis and Gaethje before the two met in a rematch that main evented UFC Calgary in July 2018, with Poirier scoring a second-round TKO.

    Poirier submitted Holloway in February 2012, Holloway’s UFC debut, before defeating him at UFC 236 for the interim UFC lightweight championship.

    When giving a prediction for the fight, Alvarez said he expects another amazing fight between the pair, though admits he has some concerns about Poirier.

    “It’s really hard to lose to someone three times in a row. Max is a champion in his own right,” Alvarez said. “I just want to see a good fight. Both times they fought, they were great fights.

    “Personally, I don’t like when a guy says ‘I’m done. I’m retiring’ and then he goes and proceeds to fight. I don’t like that. I’ve never seen it actually go well for someone — where they say they’re going to retire, they go out there and put on a performance of a lifetime, and then they go and walk off into the sunset. Rarely do you see that.”

    Poirier enters this fight off a loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in a lightweight title clash. Holloway, meanwhile, enters this fight off an unsuccessful challenge of then-featherweight champ Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. Holloway became BMF champion by koncking out Gaethje at UFC 300.