Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway will share a bond ‘forever’ after their trilogy fight at UFC 318.
Next weekend, on July 18th in New Orleans, the longest-standing trilogy in UFC history will come to a close. 13 years after they first fought at UFC 143, Holloway and Poirier collide once again, but this time, for the BMF title in the main event of UFC 318.
Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway so far. ‘The Diamond’ spoiled Holloway’s UFC debut by submission and snapped his 13-fight win streak years later in an all-out war at UFC 236.
Holloway will look to take Poirier’s retirement fight and secure a title rematch with UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria, the first and only person to knock him out in 30 UFC fights.
Despite wanting to take each other’s heads off, a UFC analyst says there is massive respect between Holloway and Poirier.
Din Thomas says Dustin Poirier was ‘so empathetic’ watching Max Holloway get stopped by Ilia Topuria
Former UFC fighter Din Thomas says he was on the broadcast desk with Poirier when Holloway got knocked out by Topuria at UFC 308, detailing his reaction.
“Watching Dustin watch Max Holloway fight was like watching a brother fight,” Thomas said on One On One with Laura Sanko.
“Just before the knockout, you can hear Dustin go, move, move! No! No!”
“You can hear him and the passion that he had for his brother out there fighting, not doing too good.
“He was so empathetic toward Max in that moment…
“Few human beings will ever experience a bond like the bond that these two will have,” Thomas continued.
“The fact that these guys have done so much and shared so much blood and sweat and those memories, and they’re just so vulnerable in those moments.
“To share a moment like that with a guy and to have those moments. It’s very difficult to describe and it’s something most humans will never experience. The fact that Dustin has done this, with this guy, and this will be the third time… They’re gonna have a bond forever.”
Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway are the only ranked lightweights fighting
With UFC 317 in the books, the BMF title fight between Holloway and Poirier is the only ranked fight at lightweight during this time.
Despite his previous KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Holloway is behind him at #5 in the rankings. And behind Holloway is Poirier, who has two wins over him.
The rest of the division is currently left without a fight. Ilia Topuria, who won the title at UFC 317 with a knockout of Charles Oliveira, will likely defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, or Paddy Pimblett.
Poirier has stated in the past he will not be prolonging his retirement for another title opportunity against Topuria.