UFC President Dana White has confirmed that UFC 318 was designed specifically to honor Dustin Poirier and his remarkable career. The event, scheduled for next Saturday in New Orleans, acts as a farewell to the former interim lightweight champion as he prepares to retire in front of a supportive home crowd in Louisiana.

Poirier has been a proud representative of Louisiana throughout his time in the UFC, and this pay-per-view provides the opportunity for him to end his career with a significant BMF title bout against Max Holloway. This setup differs from many UFC events outside Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden, which are commonly held through deals with local tourism boards, as New Orleans was chosen particularly to give Poirier a fitting send-off near his roots.

White Praises Poirier’s Career and Legacy

Following UFC Nashville, Dana White spoke about the upcoming event, highlighting the prestige within Poirier’s list of opponents. White pointed out the incredible level of competition Poirier has faced, cementing his status in the sport’s history.

I think ESPN posted a list of the last like 11 people that he’s fought,

White said.

Seven of them were former world champions, he’s had an incredible career here. We love him, and I mean we literally did this show for him, this card was built for him.

In a separate interview with Louisiana’s WDSU, White reiterated the importance of the event for Poirier’s legacy.

Throughout the world, Dustin Poirier is a big star for us. He’s accomplished a lot in the sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. This is for him. He wanted to have his last fight and end his career in New Orleans so here we are.

Poirier’s Desire to Retire in Louisiana

Retiring in Louisiana has been a long-standing goal for Dustin Poirier. Despite being from Lafayette, which is across the state from New Orleans, the local fanbase will rally behind him when he takes on Max Holloway in the BMF title fight. His dedication to bringing the UFC back to his home state demonstrates how personal this retirement is for him.

Months ahead of UFC 318 being confirmed, Poirier expressed excitement about potentially ending his career in his home state. He discussed the honor it would be to lay down his gloves in Louisiana, a place where his journey to becoming the “Diamond” began almost twenty years ago.

A pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible,

Poirier told The Schmo.

That’s what I’m pushing forward. That’s what the UFC’s working towards, and things are getting pretty close. Lay down the gloves where it all started in Louisiana, it would be an honor for me.

The Significance of UFC 318 for Poirier and the UFC Community

UFC 318 is more than just a typical fight night; it is a carefully curated event celebrating the career of Dustin Poirier UFC 318 tribute, ensuring he receives a memorable send-off in front of passionate supporters. The event strengthens the bond between Poirier and his home state, allowing fans to witness the closing chapter of a career marked by fierce competition and resilience.

This tribute event also highlights the evolving nature of UFC’s relationship with its fighters and locations, showing that sometimes the venue choice can reflect more than business strategies—it can honor legacy. For Poirier, the upcoming fight marks an emotional and fitting farewell surrounded by the community that helped shape him as a fighter and a champion.