In his final UFC appearance, Dustin Poirier has an opportunity to set new records.
UFC 318 is confirmed to be Poirier`s last event before he retires from mixed martial arts to dedicate more time to his family.
“The Diamond” is set to compete against Max Holloway in a trilogy bout held in Louisiana. This fight marks the end of his career, taking place in his hometown against an opponent he has previously defeated twice.
Poirier is likely confident of securing a victory at the event, which could allow him to break a significant record and solidify his status as a UFC legend.
Dustin Poirier Eyes Lightweight Knockout Record Against Max Holloway
A victory by knockout or technical knockout against Holloway at UFC 318 would make Poirier the sole record holder for the most finishes via strikes in the UFC`s Lightweight division.
“The Diamond” currently shares the top spot for Lightweight knockouts/TKOs with Drew Dober, each having nine finishes.
Dober initially claimed the record with his 2023 win against Ricky Glenn, but Poirier equaled the count by stopping Benoit St Denis at UFC 299.
| Fighter | Lightweight UFC (T)KO Wins |
|---|---|
| Drew Dober | 9 |
| Dustin Poirier | 9 |
| Melvin Guillard | 7 |
| Edson Barboza | 7 |
| BJ Penn/Jim Miller/Others | 6 |
These two fighters are currently tied at the top of the list, with Melvin Guillard and Edson Barboza trailing with seven finishes each.
Given his recent string of three defeats, it appears improbable that the 36-year-old Dober will add to his current knockout tally.
This sets up an opportunity for Poirier to further etch his name into UFC history by securing a knockout victory over Holloway, a feat that remains challenging despite their past encounters.
Max Holloway Highly Motivated for Trilogy Bout Against Dustin Poirier
While Poirier has a chance to break records in his farewell fight, a victory in his retirement bout is far from guaranteed.
Holloway is known as one of the most thrilling competitors in the UFC Lightweight division, although he has faced difficulties against top-tier opponents in recent years.
This includes his previous two encounters with Poirier, who defeated “Blessed” in 2012 and again in 2019.
Holloway will be exceptionally motivated to avenge these past losses and deliver a decisive performance before Poirier concludes his storied MMA career.
Predicting the winner of this fight is difficult, as it is anticipated to be one of the most memorable trilogy conclusions in combat sports history.
Jack Thornley