UFC 318
Review
New Orleans experienced an emotional, high-energy fight night last Saturday at the Smoothie King Center. UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 offered not only strong athletic battles, but also great emotions, farewells—and comebacks. An evening that will resonate long after.
A farewell with dignity
Main Event: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3
In einem letzten Aufeinandertreffen zweier absoluter Fanlieblinge konnte Max Holloway seine BMF-Championship erfolgreich verteidigen und dem scheidenden Dustin Poirier einen denkwürdigen Abschied bescheren.
Holloway kam früh in Fahrt, ähnlich wie gegen Gaethje bei UFC 300, und setzte Poirier direkt unter Druck. Doch „The Diamond“ schlug zurück, dominierte die zweite Runde phasenweise und sorgte für ohrenbetäubenden Jubel im heimischen New Orleans. Die nächsten beiden Runden boten ein offenes Hin und Her – Holloway mit mehr Volumen, Poirier mit schwereren Einzelaktionen.
In der letzten Runde dann: der Showdown. Die letzten zehn Sekunden tauschten die beiden im Zentrum des Octagons Schläge aus – als Hommage an eine epische Rivalität und Poiriers Karriere.
Am Ende werteten alle drei Punktrichter einstimmig für Holloway (48-47, 49-46, 49-46).
Während Holloway damit Geschichte schreibt als erster BMF-Titelverteidiger, gehörte der letzte Moment ganz Dustin Poirier, der mit einer emotionalen Abschiedsrede seine legendäre UFC-Karriere beendete.
The “Eraser” is back
Co-Main Event: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov
Paulo Costa proved he's still among the elite. With a focused, aggressive performance, he secured a clear unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) against the dangerous striker Roman Kopylov.
Costa dominated the first two rounds with explosive combinations, kicks, and constant finishing. Although Kopylov was able to bounce back somewhat in the second round, Costa held his own and controlled the final minutes as well.
It was Costa's first win since UFC 278 in 2022 – and at the same time a strong signal that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division.
Rest of the main card: action, comebacks and surprises
Daniel Rodriguez vs. Kevin Holland
A wild fight, as you would expect from these two!
Rodriguez knocked Holland down twice in the second round, but Holland countered with a knockdown and a hard offensive in the third. In the end, however, Rodriguez's strong opening rounds were enough for a points victory (3× 29-28) – his third consecutive victory.
Patricio Pitbull vs. Dan Ige
In his second UFC fight, former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull finally showed his class. Against the tough Dan Ige, he relied on grappling, precise strikes, and tactical clinch management.
Ige was able to wobble him briefly in the third round, but Pitbull deservedly secured the point victory (3× 29-28) – and should soon find himself in the featherweight rankings.
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Veteran Michael Johnson opened the main card with a clever, fast, and efficient performance against young prospect Daniel Zellhuber.
With clear striking and a knockdown in the second round, the 39-year-old secured the unanimous decision victory (3× 29-28) – his third win in a row. Johnson proves that experience still counts.
Islam Dulatov also made a real splash on the night of UFC 318. In his UFC debut, the German fighter left no room for doubt, brutally knocking out Adam Fugitt in the first round. With explosive precision and ice-cold composure, Dulatov demonstrated why he's considered a great talent – and immediately made a statement in the welterweight division.
A debut like something out of a picture book – and a clear signal: Islam Dulatov is a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
What happens next?
After his victory at UFC 318, Max Holloway could now face Ilia Topuria in a rematch – a lightweight title fight seems likely.
For Dustin Poirier, however, it was probably his last appearance in the Octagon; his departure seemed final.
Paulo Costa made a strong comeback and is back in the conversation for the top of the middleweight division.
The next numbered event is in Chicago, where Khamzat Chimaev will challenge titleholder Dricus Du Plessis for middleweight gold at UFC 319.
Until then!