Holloway Retains Bmf Title As Poirier Retires

Max Holloway retained nan symbolic BMF title arsenic Dustin Poirier's esteemed profession ended successful conclusion astatine UFC 318 successful New Orleans, Louisiana.

Holloway's measurement of strikes helped him triumph an entertaining title by unanimous determination arsenic he became nan first combatant to take sides nan loop awarded to nan UFC's "baddest".

Afterwards Holloway called retired lightweight champion Ilia Topuria earlier paying tribute to chap American Poirier.

"I've sewage immoderate history pinch nan champ. UFC, it's your move next, baby, but I'm done talking," said Holloway.

"This is Dustin's status conflict - springiness it up to my man."

Former interim lightweight champion Poirier, 36, retires arsenic 1 of nan astir respected athletes to measurement ft wrong nan octagon.

After making his UFC debut successful 2011, Poirier won 22 of 32 fights and retires arsenic arguably nan champion combatant to ne'er triumph an undisputed title.

"I'm grateful for this acquisition and journey. I want to convey (UFC president) Dana White and nan UFC for giving a kid a level to make thing of his life, to thief support my family is simply a safe place," said an affectional Poirier.

"I'm everlastingly successful indebtedness to nan institution and mixed martial arts. It's taught maine everything I cognize and I'm conscionable thankful I sewage to locomotion this walk."

The bout concludes nan pair's epic rivalry aft Poirier's victories successful 2012 and 2019.

After suffering conclusion for nan lightweight title successful his astir caller conflict against Islam Makhachev successful 2024, Poirier said Holloway would beryllium his last bout.

Poirier, accompanied by rapper Lil Wayne, was greeted by a rousing reception successful beforehand of his location crowd arsenic he skipped his measurement towards nan octagon.

Holloway - arsenic he called for earlier nan conflict retired of respect to Poirier - was booed connected his walkout, earlier making a accelerated commencement erstwhile nan conflict sewage nether way.

After mixing up his limb strikes and punches well, Holloway dropped Poirier pinch a consecutive correct successful a assured first round.

Holloway remained successful power successful nan 2nd information arsenic he knocked Poirier down again, earlier nan momentum shifted.

With seconds of nan information remaining, Poirier landed a one-two punch operation which dropped Holloway, earlier nan doorbell saved him from much harm connected nan ground.

The action continued to spell backmost and distant - Holloway landed longer combinations but Poirier's strikes appeared much damaging - earlier nan crowd roseate to their feet successful anticipation of nan last round.

With 10 seconds to spell Holloway pointed to nan crushed successful trademark fashion, inviting nan brace to guidelines and trade.

Holloway knocked Justin Gaethje out successful akin manner past twelvemonth and, though he sewage nan amended of nan breathtaking exchange, Poirier survived until nan last bell.

The brace embraced successful respect arsenic Holloway kissed Poirier connected nan forehead earlier sharing a fewer words.

"Max is reliable to woody pinch successful here. He's slick; he's crafty; he's fast; he's nan champ. I sewage thing but respect for Max - he's 1 of nan bully guys," said Poirier.

"I've been chasing my dreams - it's been incredible. I'm a kid surviving his dream retired here, throwing punches, throwing knees. It's incredible."

Poirier's triumph complete Holloway successful 2019 for nan interim lightweight loop remains nan only UFC title he won.

He mislaid 3 undisputed title fights - against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Makhachev - but retires pinch a sparkling resume regardless.

He sewage nan amended of his trilogy pinch Conor McGregor - he is nan only combatant to sound him out, successful 2021 - and has iconic victories complete Dan Hooker, Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez.

Islam Makhachev connected X: , external"Congratulations, Dustin. You're genuinely 1 of nan top to ever measurement into nan cage. It was an grant and a privilege to stock it pinch you."

Jorge Masvidal connected X:, external "Congrats connected an awesome profession Dustin! It's been awesome sharing this travel pinch you. Thanks for each nan bully times and everything you brought to nan team. Enjoy retirement, you've much than earned it."

Jon Jones connected X: , external"I thought Dustin's capacity was amazing. He decidedly still has it. But it's bully to spot him locomotion distant conscionable because he wants to. That needs to go normalised successful nan future. Sick of fighters getting to nan constituent of mumbling."

Belal Muhammad connected X:, external "Paid successful full. Dustin is simply a legend. Amazing career."