Dustin Poirier came close to finishing Max Holloway at UFC 318.
The former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion fought the final fight of his career on Saturday—a thrilling five-round war with BMF Champion Max Holloway in New Orleans.
UFC 318 was built in honor of the retiring Poirier, who laid down his gloves after losing to longtime rival Holloway by unanimous decision in their trilogy bout.
While Holloway was the clear winner, Poirier definitely had his moments with a near-finish in the second round where he had Holloway visibly stunned with punches.
In true Poirier fashion, ‘The Diamond’ attempted his signature submission: the guillotine, which Holloway escaped out of in the final seconds of round 2.
So, just how close was Poirier to getting Holloway out of there?
Max Holloway relives Dustin Poirier’s near-finish at UFC 318
At the post-fight press conference, Holloway detailed how badly hurt he was at the end of round 2.
“I was pretty hurt, bro. I can’t say nothing,” Holloway told Bloody Elbow and other reporters.
“At the end of the day I was calm. I was cool. I was just chilling. I was happy that we got done over there.
Holloway was asked if Poirier might have found the finish, had he not attempted the guillotine choke.
“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you,” Holloway answered.
“But when he grabbed my neck, I was like, not today, sir.
“Not today, bro. You ain’t getting your bronze statue in front of your house.”
Prior to his last undisputed title fight against Makhachev, Poirier had said he’d get a bronze statue of him submitting the champion with his signature guillotine, which he’s actually never pulled off in an MMA fight before.
“Not on me, bro. You already submitted my a– one time,” Holloway said, referencing Poirier’s submission win over him in 2012.
Dustin Poirier has no regrets attempting guillotine on Max Holloway
Poirier’s guillotine would be the last submission attempt of his career.
The Smoothie King Arena roared when Poirier jumped guillotine, leading many to think this would be the way he’d close out his legendary career.
Despite not getting the submission, Poirier isn’t one to take it back.
“Nah. Never,” Poirier said if he had any regrets going for the guillotine on Holloway.
“One last one…
“And damn, I really thought that was gonna be the one, man.
“I had him hurt, but he rolled to his back, and I just couldn’t control it,” Poirier said of losing the submission at the post-fight press conference.