News Summary
UFC 318 is making its return to New Orleans, featuring a highly anticipated trilogy fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier for the BMF title. This event marks the first UFC match in New Orleans in a decade. With Holloway aiming to avenge his past losses to Poirier, and the emotional weight of Poirier’s expected retirement adding intensity, the matchup is a must-see. The main card also includes other impactful bouts, solidifying the event as a highlight for MMA fans this summer.
New Orleans is set to host the highly anticipated UFC 318 on Saturday at the Smoothie King Center, marking the UFC’s return to the city for the first time in a decade. The main event features a trilogy fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier for the BMF title. This match is particularly significant as it represents the third encounter between the two fighters, with Poirier holding a 2-0 record over Holloway from their previous bouts.
Max Holloway, competing with an MMA record of 26 wins and 8 losses, previously obtained the BMF belt with a knockout victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. In contrast, Dustin Poirier, who boasts a record of 30 wins and 9 losses, will be fighting in his home state of Louisiana. Poirier has announced his intention to retire from professional fighting after this event, adding an emotional weight to the contest. His last fight was at UFC 302, where he faced Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title and suffered a loss.
Following his BMF title victory, Holloway shifted back to the featherweight division but faced a defeat against Ilia Topuria in his subsequent match. The stakes for this fight are high not just for the title but also for both fighters’ careers. Holloway enters the octagon as the favorite, with odds placing him as more than a 2-1 favorite against Poirier.
As part of the main card, the co-main event will showcase a compelling matchup between Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov. Costa is looking to rebound from a recent loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302, striving for redemption in this matchup. Meanwhile, Kopylov is in impressive form, having won six of his last seven fights, including a notable victory over Chris Curtis.
The preliminary card also features exciting matchups such as Kevin Holland taking on Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson facing Daniel Zellhuber. Each of these bouts contributes to what is shaping up to be a thrilling event with critical implications for each fighter’s career progression.
In anticipation of the fight, the face-off between Holloway and Poirier took place at Jackson Square in New Orleans, intensifying the rivalry that has developed over the last 13 years. With tickets currently on sale, fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a historic event in UFC history.
UFC 318 will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+, allowing fans both in attendance and watching from home to experience the excitement of this must-see fight night. The event is positioned as a highlight of the summer schedule for mixed martial arts, with significant implications for both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
In conclusion, UFC 318 is set to be a landmark event in New Orleans, featuring a trilogy fight between Holloway and Poirier along with several other impactful matchups on the card. As the fighters prepare to step into the octagon, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and excitement.
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Additional Resources
- UFC: Fight Preview UFC 318 – Holloway vs Poirier 3
- Sports Illustrated: UFC 318 Max Holloway Rankings Update
- MMA Fighting: UFC 318 Fight Card Start Time
- WWLTV: When is UFC 318 in New Orleans?
- BetMGM: UFC 318 Fight Card Predictions and Odds
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
- Google Search: UFC 318
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mixed Martial Arts
- Google News: UFC 318
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
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