UFC 318 Full Card Results - July 19, 2025: Holloway Beats Poirier, Emotional Send-Off in BMF Main Event

📍 July 18, 2025 | New Orleans, Louisiana

💥 Main Card Highlights

🏆 Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via Unanimous Decision

(49-46, 49-46, 48-47) — Retains BMF Title

It took three tries, but Max Holloway finally beat Dustin Poirier — and did it in front of Poirier’s home crowd. The BMF champ put on a clinical striking display, landing 198 significant strikes and outclassing Poirier in output and control. In a moment of mutual respect, both men traded bombs in the final 10 seconds — but there was no doubt. Max was the better man.

For Poirier, it was the end of a legendary journey. “The Diamond” retires with a 30-10 record and a legacy cemented as one of the most beloved finishers in UFC history.

And yes — Lil Wayne walked him out.

💪 Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov via Unanimous Decision

Costa snapped his winless streak and outstruck Kopylov by 51 significant shots. A needed rebound for "The Eraser" in the middleweight division.

🧠 Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland via Unanimous Decision

Rodriguez stunned fans and oddsmakers alike as a +410 underdog, edging out Holland with a strong opening two rounds. At 38, he’s now riding his first three-fight streak since 2022.

🔁 Patricio "Pitbull" Freire def. Dan Ige via Unanimous Decision

Pitbull bounced back from his UFC debut loss with five takedowns and nearly 3 minutes of control time. A vintage performance from the Bellator legend.

⚡ Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber via Unanimous Decision

The 39-year-old Johnson turned back the clock, knocking Zellhuber down in round two and scoring a decisive win. He’s now won three straight for the first time since 2015.

⚔️ Notable Prelims Recap

• Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips via UD
• Brendan Allen dominated Marvin Vettori on all cards
• Nikolay Veretennikov edged Francisco Prado via split decision
• Ateba Gautier scored a R1 TKO over Robert Valentin

🚨 Early Prelims Carnage

• Islam Dulatov KO’d Adam Fugitt in round one
• Jimmy Crute submitted Marcin Prachnio via armbar
• Ryan Spann locked in a R1 guillotine choke
• Brunno Ferreira finished Jackson McVey with a slick armbar
• Carli Judice won by TKO in R3 over Nicolle Caliari

🧾 Quick Results (Main Card)

• 🏆 Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier – Unanimous Decision
• Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov – Unanimous Decision
• Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland – Unanimous Decision
• Patricio Pitbull def. Dan Ige – Unanimous Decision
• Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber – Unanimous Decision

🎙️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

UFC 318 was a night of goodbyes, rebirths, and revenge. Max Holloway finally got his moment over a longtime rival — and did so with class and violence, BMF-style. Dustin Poirier walking away in front of a Louisiana crowd with Lil Wayne by his side felt like a movie ending. The rest of the card was loaded with vets turning back time and newcomers making violent statements.

With legends stepping down and old names rising back up, the UFC’s next chapter just got a lot more interesting.