Lil Wayne might not be the only rapper walking out at UFC 318.
The UFC heads to New Orleans, Louisiana, for its next pay-per-view event on July 19th. Why Louisiana? Two words: Dustin Poirier.
CEO Dana White confirmed the UFC 318 card was built around the former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion’s retirement fight. In the final chapter of his legendary career, Poirier will meet BMF Champion Max Holloway in a five-round trilogy bout.
Poirier recently told Full Violence that Louisiana rapper Lil Wayne will join him in his final walk-out to the Octagon.
Also fighting on the pay-per-view card, one of Poirier’s former foes says he wants to walk out with another ‘Louisiana legend’.
- READ MORE: Tony Ferguson confirms combat sports return after suffering worst losing skid in UFC history
Michael Johnson wants Boosie Badazz for UFC 318 walk-out, Dustin Poirier approves
UFC veteran Michael Johnson is the last fighter to knock out Poirier with punches.
Two years after McGregor’s knockout of Poirier at featherweight and seven years before Justin Gaethje’s head kick, Johnson KO’ed Poirier in 95 seconds in the main event of UFC Hidalgo in 2016.
Nearly a decade later, Johnson and Poirier fight on the same night. Johnson is set to collide with Daniel Zellhuber in what will be his 31st UFC fight.
Coming off back-to-back wins over Ottman Azaitar and Darrius Flowers, Johnson asked UFC boss Dana White if he could walk out to the Octagon with Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz at UFC 318.
“So if @DustinPoirier gets @LilTunechi to walk him out, @BOOSIEOFFICIAL you busy July 19th for @ufc 318?” Johnson wrote on X.
“Let’s SET my walk out OFF! @danawhite.”
“Louisiana legends,” Poirier said of his former foe’s idea.
Michael Johnson beat legendary lightweights in his heyday
They don’t call Michael Johnson ‘The Menace’ for nothing.
Johnson might have made it to lightweight title contention had it not been for three grueling rounds with the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2016.
The former top-5 contender defeated Poirier, Edson Barboza, and handed former interim champion Tony Ferguson his first UFC loss before he went on an unforgettable 12-fight win streak at lightweight.
Johnson is known for his explosive KO power and he nearly spoiled the UFC debut of Justin Gaethje with his boxing before ‘The Highlight’ rallied for a comeback knockout in 2017.
15-15 in the UFC, Johnson looks to make it a winning record at UFC 318 against Mexico’s Daniel Zellhuber.