Holloway vs. Poirier Predictions

Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for UFC 318 Holloway vs. Poirier

When: Saturday, July 19
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

The third and final meeting between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier is scheduled to take place on July 19 in Poirier’s hometown of New Orleans. According to many, this will be the retirement fight for the Diamond, who wanted to say goodbye to professional MMA in his backyard. This is also a match for the non-listed BMF title.

Holloway vs. Poirier Preview

Max Holloway

The Blessed had a nice run following his third loss to Alexander Volkanovski, beating Arnold Allen, the Korean Zombie, and Justin Gaethje. The triumph against the latter was one of the best knockouts in the years that followed, and that eventually earned him a fight against the featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria.

Though that one needed badly for Max, who was KOd in the third round. It was evident that the years had caught up with the once-champion and the face of the division. After all, he has 34 bouts under his belt, winning 26 and losing 8. The loss to Topuria was the first KO defeat for Max in his career.

He remains versatile and extremely dangerous in the boxing ring. Wrestling isn’t his stronger side, but that’s nothing new. However, what used to be an iron chin is now showing signs of cracks, and that’s the reason why Max isn’t championship material anymore.

Dustin Poirier

The Diamond suffered subsequent wins and losses in the last six of his meetings. It started with back-to-back triumphs against Conor, and then a loss to Charles Oliveira in the title bout. He would come back to beat Michael Chandler, yet suffer a nasty head kick defeat to Justin Gaethje.

After that one, many believed his time was over, though he would go on to dismantle Benoit Saint Denis via KO, despite a slightly slower start. After that, he had one last shot at the title, but lost to Islam deep into the 5th round via submission.

With 40 MMA battles, 30 wins, 9 defeats, and a no contest, he still remains one of the icons of the sport. Poirier holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu, but he is primarily known for his laser-precise striking. After all, that’s how he got most of his big wins, and there were some quite astonishing ones.

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Holloway vs. Poirier Head to Head

These two guys have already met in the past twice, and on both occasions, Poirier was better. In 2012, at UFC 143, Poirier beat Holloway via a first-round triangle armbar submission.

In 2019, there was an interim UFC lightweight battle, when Max went a division up, and then Poirier won via unanimous decision.

UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier Predictions

Poirier is bigger and has always been heavier than Max, which gives him an edge over his rival. Even if Holloway gains some muscle, he won’t be able to carry it like Dustin. Also, he has more KO power in his fists, and knowing that Holloway’s chin decayed, we have to pick the Diamond to win this one and retire with style.

Our verdict: Poirier wins