At UFC 318 held at the Smoothie King Arena, the highly anticipated fight between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway for the BMF belt did not receive the Fight of the Night honor, surprising many fans and the fighters themselves. Instead, the $50,000 bonus was awarded to Brendan Allen and Marvin Vettori for their preliminary bout, leaving Poirier and Holloway visibly frustrated by the decision.
Unexpected Decision on Fight of the Night at UFC 318
After their intense showdown, Poirier and Holloway coincidentally met backstage and immediately addressed their confusion over missing out on the Fight of the Night recognition. Holloway confronted Poirier, asking,
“Hey, bro, how did we not get Fight of the Night?”
to which Poirier responded with disbelief. Holloway expressed his dissatisfaction openly, insisting they contact UFC president Dana White through Holloway’s manager, Tiki Ghosn, to question the decision.
Holloway explained,
“No! They gave it to Allen and Vettori, I don’t even know, we almost finished each other in the same damn round. What the hell, bro.”
The shocked reaction from both fighters highlighted their belief that their fight was the most deserving of the award that night.
The Importance of Fight of the Night Awards in Fighter Legacies
While neither Poirier nor Holloway rely heavily on the financial bonus from Fight of the Night awards, these accolades contribute significantly to a fighter’s legacy within the UFC. Currently, Holloway holds seven Fight of the Night honors, while Poirier has earned ten. Had Poirier achieved an eleventh award at UFC 318, he would have held the record for the most Fight of the Night awards in UFC history, surpassing Edson Barbosa.
Despite remaining tied for first place with Barbosa, missing out on this particular honor is a notable disappointment for Poirier, given the thrilling nature of his bout with Holloway. Many observers agreed that their fight was the best display of action and competitiveness at UFC 318, making its exclusion from the Fight of the Night award all the more surprising.
Reactions Reflect Fighter Frustration
The tension between Poirier and Holloway over the snub was clear during their backstage exchange. Their frustration was not just about the bonus money but also the recognition of their efforts and the impact on their career achievements. The fight itself was marked by moments where either fighter appeared close to finishing the other, underscoring why fans and analysts believed it deserved the distinction.
This moment also highlighted the sometimes unexpected outcomes of UFC’s bonus decisions, which can influence the narratives around fighters’ careers and their standing with fans. As both Poirier and Holloway continue their careers, this missed opportunity could add fuel to their motivation in future bouts.