Live results, full fight card, betting odds & everything you need to know from New Orleans
The Storyline: A Louisiana Legend’s Last Dance
On a humid Saturday night inside New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier officially closed the curtain on one of the most beloved careers in mixed-martial-arts history. The 35-year-old Lafayette native drove two hours east on I-10 to headline UFC 318, choosing the perfect foil for his swan-song: Max “Blessed” Holloway, the only man he had already beaten twice (2012 and 2019) but who now carries the symbolic “BMF” belt Poirier has coveted since falling short against Justin Gaethje in 2023.
Accompanied to the cage by fellow Louisiana icon Lil Wayne, Poirier fought with the urgency of a man determined to leave every ounce of himself inside the Octagon. Holloway, meanwhile, aimed to cement his own legacy by handing the future Hall-of-Famer his retirement loss and un-retiring the BMF title.
Event Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, July 20, 2025 |
| Venue | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
| Prelims Start | 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+) |
| PPV Main Card | 10:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+ PPV) |
| Main Event | Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway – 5 rounds, lightweight, BMF title on the line |
UFC 318 Full Fight Card & Betting Odds
Main Card (PPV)
| Bout | Weight Class | Opening Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway (c) vs. Dustin Poirier | Lightweight – BMF Title | Holloway -130, Poirier +110 |
| Roman Kopylov vs. Paulo Costa | Middleweight | Kopylov -240, Costa +200 |
| Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez | Welterweight | Holland -450, Rodriguez +350 |
| Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull | Featherweight | Ige -210, Pitbull +175 |
Note: All odds via DraftKings as of fight week.
Preliminary Card Results (Quick Hits)
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Michael Johnson UD Daniel Zellhuber (29-28 ×3)
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Vinicius Oliveira UD Kyler Phillips (29-28 ×3)
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Brendan Allen UD Marvin Vettori (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Nikolay Veretennikov SD Francisco Prado (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
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Ateba Gautier TKO1 Robert Valentin (punches)
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Islam Dulatov KO1 Adam Fugitt (punches)
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Jimmy Crute SUB1 Marcin Prachnio (armbar)
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Ryan Spann SUB1 Lukasz Brzeski (guillotine)
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Brunno Ferreira SUB1 Jackson McVey (armbar)
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Carli Judice TKO1 Nicolle Caliari (strikes)
🔍 Fight-by-Fight Highlights & Key Moments
1. Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull – Featherweight Showcase
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Round 1: Pitbull’s calf-kick clinic and late takedown earn him a 10-9.
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Round 2: A counter right from Pitbull drops Ige; relentless ground-and-pound nearly finishes it.
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Round 3: Ige rallies with knees and body shots, but the early deficit proves too steep.
Official Result: Patricio Pitbull via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
2. Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber – Veteran vs. Prospect
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Johnson, a +400 underdog, drops Zellhuber in Round 2 and ties the UFC lightweight record for most knockdowns (13).
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Zellhuber storms back in R3, but Johnson’s early work seals a unanimous 29-28 victory.
3. Vinicius Oliveira vs. Kyler Phillips – Bantamweight Firefight
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Phillips’ movement frustrates Oliveira early (10-9 R1).
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Round 2 sees Oliveira score a knockdown and out-land Phillips 20-0 in one stretch; 10-8 on all cards.
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Phillips’ late surge is not enough. Oliveira takes the unanimous 29-28 nod.
4. Brendan Allen vs. Marvin Vettori – Middleweight Grudge Match
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Long-time rivals finally meet after a casino scuffle years ago.
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Allen busts Vettori’s nose early and out-lands him in power strikes throughout three phone-booth rounds.
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Allen 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 – a clear win in front of his home-state crowd.
Main Event: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 – “The Diamond’s” Last Stand
(Live updates will be inserted here once the bout concludes. Check back after 12:30 a.m. ET for final result.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does the BMF title mean and why is it on the line?
A: The “Baddest Motherf*****” belt is a ceremonial, non-weight-class title created in 2019. It’s awarded to the fighter who embodies pure, fan-friendly toughness. Holloway captured it at UFC 300; Poirier wants it as a retirement trophy.
A: The “Baddest Motherf*****” belt is a ceremonial, non-weight-class title created in 2019. It’s awarded to the fighter who embodies pure, fan-friendly toughness. Holloway captured it at UFC 300; Poirier wants it as a retirement trophy.
Q2: How can I re-watch UFC 318?
A: The entire card will be available on-demand via ESPN+ for PPV buyers immediately after the broadcast. International viewers can check local UFC Fight Pass schedules.
A: The entire card will be available on-demand via ESPN+ for PPV buyers immediately after the broadcast. International viewers can check local UFC Fight Pass schedules.
Q3: Is this really Poirier’s last fight?
A: Yes. Poirier has stated publicly he will retire regardless of the outcome, ending a 15-year professional career that includes an interim UFC lightweight championship and countless “Fight of the Night” bonuses.
A: Yes. Poirier has stated publicly he will retire regardless of the outcome, ending a 15-year professional career that includes an interim UFC lightweight championship and countless “Fight of the Night” bonuses.
Q4: Who was the biggest betting upset on the card?
A: Michael Johnson (+400) defeating Daniel Zellhuber (-550) was the largest line movement. Johnson’s win paid out $400 on a $100 bet.
A: Michael Johnson (+400) defeating Daniel Zellhuber (-550) was the largest line movement. Johnson’s win paid out $400 on a $100 bet.
Q5: What’s next for Max Holloway if he wins?
A: Expect the UFC to fast-track Holloway into a lightweight title eliminator or a lucrative Conor McGregor trilogy—provided McGregor’s return date is finalized.
A: Expect the UFC to fast-track Holloway into a lightweight title eliminator or a lucrative Conor McGregor trilogy—provided McGregor’s return date is finalized.
Final Word
Whether you tuned in for the historical significance of Poirier’s retirement, the high-level matchmaking across the card, or simply the electric New Orleans atmosphere, UFC 318 delivered. Stay locked to CBS Sports for post-fight press-conference quotes, medical suspensions and the first batch of 2025 “Fight of the Year” candidate reels.