Paddy Pimblett has expressed his belief that Dustin Poirier‘s retirement fight at UFC 318 may not end in Poirier’s favor. Scheduled to take place at the Smoothie King Center in Louisiana, Poirier will face Max Holloway, a fighter who has already defeated him twice before. Pimblett feels that this history will serve as motivation for Holloway to secure a rare third win over Poirier.
Despite the MMA community largely backing ‘The Diamond’ based on past results, Pimblett remains confident in Holloway’s chances. In an appearance on the Verse Us with Eric Nicksick podcast, the UFC lightweight ranked number 10 shared his thoughts:
“It’d be heavy for Holloway that, like, if there are two different fighters who’ve beat him three times. I’ve seen him say something like, you know, ‘He took a lot from me. He gave me my first loss, and he took away from me like an eight-fight win streak or whatever, so I’m going to take his retirement fight… I think Holloway is motivated. I can see Holloway winning, to be honest.”
Pimblett’s assessment highlights the psychological edge Holloway could have when facing Poirier for the third time.
History Between Holloway and Poirier: Two Battles, Two Outcomes
Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier first met at UFC 143 in a featherweight bout, marking Holloway’s promotional debut. In that fight, Poirier secured a submission victory in the first round. More than seven years later, the two encountered each other again at UFC 236, this time in the lightweight division. Poirier emerged victorious via unanimous decision, evening their rivalry at one win apiece.
Currently, Holloway holds the prestigious BMF title but has experienced mixed results recently, with a 3-2 record in his last five fights, including a recent knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. Poirier, meanwhile, stands at 2-3 over his previous five fights, most recently losing by fifth-round submission to Islam Makhachev.
Pimblett’s Reaction to Holloway’s Stunning UFC 300 Knockout
Max Holloway’s knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable finishes in combat sports history. The fight saw Holloway take control early, even landing a damaging spinning kick to Gaethje’s nose in the first round. Although Gaethje displayed moments of brilliance throughout, Holloway maintained dominance. In a dramatic final round, Holloway delivered a clean right hand that knocked Gaethje out with just one second remaining.
Watching this moment, Paddy Pimblett was visibly amazed, calling it one of the most incredible knockouts he has ever witnessed. His admiration reflects the high regard in which Holloway’s skills are held among fellow fighters and fans alike.
The Significance of UFC 318 and What Lies Ahead
The upcoming UFC 318 fight between Holloway and Poirier carries significant implications for both fighters‘ legacies. For Poirier, it represents a farewell to the sport, while for Holloway, a win would mark an extraordinary third victory over a former title contender heading into retirement. Pimblett’s prediction of Holloway’s motivation adds a compelling narrative to the event, suggesting that ‘The Baddy’ aims to write a new chapter in their rivalry.
This fight will not only influence their personal records but also impact the lightweight division’s hierarchy, as new contenders prepare to rise. Fans and analysts will closely watch how both fighters approach this bout, given its potential to alter their career trajectories dramatically.