Thu Jul 17 22:50:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Poirier’s Farewell Fight Headlines UFC 318 in New Orleans Showdown**

**NEW ORLEANS, LA** – UFC 318 is set to be an emotional night for fight fans, as Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier is expected to make his final walk to the Octagon in front of a home crowd. The lightweight legend will face Max “Blessed” Holloway in a highly anticipated main event that has fight aficionados split. While many will be hoping to see Poirier get one last win, Holloway is also a beloved figure in the sport, making this a bittersweet matchup.

This will be the third encounter between the two, with Poirier winning the previous two. However, Holloway has continued to evolve since their last clash, making this bout a true coin-flip. The BMF title will be on the line, but feels secondary to the narrative surrounding these two warriors.

While the main event is a guaranteed spectacle, the rest of the UFC 318 card has faced criticism for its overall depth. The co-main event features Paulo Costa against Roman Kopylov, followed by Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez and Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull Freire. The main card kicks off with a lightweight battle between Michael Johnson and rising contender Daniel Zellhuber.

Despite the lack of immediate title implications for most of the fights, the potential for high-octane action is undeniable. UFC 318 could be one of those events that exceeds expectations and remains memorable for years to come.

**Predictions:**

Analysts are largely favoring Poirier to win by decision in the main event, citing his power and accuracy. However, the potential for either fighter’s chin to falter due to accumulated damage remains a wild card.

In the co-main event, Kopylov is predicted to defeat Costa, while Holland is expected to beat Rodriguez by KO. Freire is anticipated to edge out Ige in a striking battle, and Zellhuber is favored to defeat Johnson.

UFC 318 promises to be a night of mixed emotions, with a legendary career potentially coming to an end, and a slate of fights that could deliver unexpected violence and unforgettable moments.

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