Poirier to face Holloway in UFC retirement fight

Dustin Poirier has two wins over Max Holloway, most recently in 2019

Dustin Poirier will face Max Holloway on 19 July in a trilogy bout which will also be the final fight of his UFC career.

The American intends to retire after this fight and will headline UFC 318 in his home city, New Orleans.

Poirier, 36, has two wins over Holloway, the first at featherweight in 2012 and more recently at lightweight in 2019.

The rivals will contest a lightweight bout and it will also be for the ceremonial BMF title.

The UFC awards the belt to the "baddest" fighter in the promotion and it has been won in the past by Jorge Masvidal, Justin Gaethje and Holloway.

Holloway, 33, won the belt at UFC 300 in 2024 with a last-minute knockout that has gone down as an all-time classic stoppage.

Poirier has never won a full UFC title, but did have a spell as interim lightweight champion and is one of the most popular fighters among fans.

With 23 stoppages from his 30 wins, Poirier is one of the most exciting finishers of recent years.

In total, Poirier has 30 wins, nine losses and one no-contest, having fought all his direct rivals including Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Eddie Alvarez, Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje.