The highly anticipated fight between ranked lightweight contenders Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier is set for UFC 318. This marks their third meeting, with past encounters at UFC 143 in 2012 where Poirier won by submission, and UFC 236 in 2019 where Holloway won by decision. The main event will be held at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, starting at 10 p.m. Holloway is the favorite with odds of -148, while Poirier, who plans to retire after this bout, is the underdog at +124. Holloway’s most likely win is predicted by decision (+140). Other notable bouts include Roman Kopirov favored against Paulo Costa in the middleweight division. Expert MMA bettor Daniel Vithlani, known for his sharp analysis and consistent wins, has shared detailed predictions and betting advice ahead of the event.
Max Holloway, 33, currently holds the UFC BMF title and previously was the featherweight champion. Though he suffered a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October, he recently claimed the UFC BMF title with a knockout victory over Justin Gaethje in April 2024. Holloway began his professional career in 2010 and joined UFC in 2012, amassing a record of 26 wins and 8 losses, with an equal split of knockout and decision wins. He was recognized as the 2017 Rolling Stone Fighter of the Year, showcasing his elite status in the sport.
Dustin Poirier, 36, is a former UFC lightweight champion who has challenged three times for the lightweight title and once for the BMF belt. Starting his career in 2009 with a knockout win, Poirier made a strong UFC entry in 2010 and has a record of 30 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw. He holds 15 knockout wins, 8 submissions, and 7 decision victories. His recent loss was by submission to Islam Makhachev in a UFC Lightweight Championship fight at UFC 302 in June 2024.
Vithlani recommends Francisco Prado (-130) to defeat Nicolei Veretennikov (+110) in a welterweight fight, highlighting Prado’s striking ability and pressure. For UFC 318’s main card, Vithlani praises fighters with diverse kickboxing skills and dynamic fight approaches. He advises visiting Sportsline for comprehensive picks and analysis. The main fight card odds include Holloway (-148) vs. Poirier (+124), Kopirov (-218) vs. Costa (+180), Holland (-575) vs. Rodriguez (+425), Ige (-205) vs. Patricio Pitbull (+170), and Zelber (-800) vs. Johnson (+500).
Fan Take: This conclusion to the Holloway-Poirier trilogy is a massive moment for fight fans, as it features two of the sport’s best warriors with a deep history and legacy. Poirier’s retirement stakes add emotional weight, promising a thrilling fight that could shape the future narratives of UFC lightweight division.
