Dustin Poirier’s UFC Farewell Ends in Loss to Max Holloway, But Legacy Remains Untouched

Dustin Poirier’s final UFC walk to the Octagon on Saturday night at UFC 318 wasn’t the fairytale ending many fans had hoped for, but it was the perfect representation of his storied 16-year career full of grit, heart, and undeniable skill.

Facing off against former featherweight champion Max Holloway in a five-round BMF title fight at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Poirier (30-10) suffered a unanimous decision loss. All three judges scored the lightweight bout in Holloway’s favor: 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Yet, as the crowd roared with a mix of disappointment and admiration, it was clear that Poirier's career was bigger than the result of one fight.

For Poirier, a loss in his final fight was of little consequence in the grand scope of his legendary run in the UFC. Holloway (27-8), coming off a devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, came in with a mission: to be the spoiler and cement his place in the lightweight division. Despite a spirited effort from Poirier, Holloway’s precision, volume, and consistent pressure overwhelmed the Louisiana native.

“I came in, and I knew I was going to try and be the spoiler and the villain,” Holloway said after the fight. “Poirier can still hit hard, but he kept coming back. I’m pretty happy with the result.”

But Poirier’s post-fight comments reflected a deeper truth one that transcended the disappointment of a final loss. "It's been overwhelming honestly," Poirier said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I feel appreciated. I feel seen. I never stepped outside of fighting and looked at it this way. I never got to look at it third person. This week has been incredible. I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana and the company. I'm a kid living the dream out here, man, throwing punches."

At 36 years old, Poirier retires in a tie for the fifth-most wins in UFC history (22) and tied for fourth in knockouts (11). His career saw him rise to the top of the lightweight division, challenging for the undisputed title three times—against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. Though he fell short in each of those bouts, Poirier’s legacy was solidified in other ways, notably through his interim lightweight title win in 2019 when he defeated Holloway in a memorable five-round classic.

UFC Stats revealed that Holloway outlanded Poirier 186-114 in total strikes. Despite Poirier landing a clean cut under Holloway’s left eye in the fourth round, it was clear that the volume of Holloway’s strikes, combined with his ability to push the pace, began to wear down the veteran as the rounds went on. Still, Poirier’s heart never wavered. In true Poirier fashion, the fight saw multiple dramatic moments Holloway dropped Poirier twice early on, only for Poirier to recover and even drop Holloway later in the second round, briefly threatening with a guillotine.

The dramatic ebb and flow of the fight was a fitting reflection of Poirier’s entire career: full of adversity, resilience, and the kind of determination that made him one of the sport’s most beloved figures.

Poirier’s entrance, accompanied by the beats of New Orleans rap legend Lil Wayne, further amplified the significance of the evening. Poirier, who walked out to Wayne’s track “A Milli” for his UFC debut in 2011, had a poetic final fight in his home state. The UFC even rearranged its schedule to ensure that Poirier’s send-off would take place in Louisiana, where his journey began.

For Holloway, the win was a much-needed boost after a rough patch. UFC President Dana White praised Holloway’s performance, noting that the Hawaiian fighter is now in a strong position for another crack at the lightweight title. “He just defends that BMF title. He’s ranked No. 4 in the world there,” White said. “Anything is possible for Max right now.”

While Poirier may have been defeated in his final fight, his career is far from defined by this one loss. It is instead a testament to a fighter who gave everything to the sport—thrilling fans, battling legends, and constantly elevating the game. As Poirier reflected on his career, it was clear that he had more than earned his place in UFC history. "I feel proud of my career, proud of my journey, "Poirier said. "I’ll never forget this. "As he exits the Octagon for the final time, Poirier leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the hearts of fans and fighters alike.