Dustin Poirier proved his competitiveness in his last UFC fight by enduring a five-round war against Max Holloway at UFC 318. Despite a valiant effort, Poirier ultimately lost via unanimous decision after absorbing 201 strikes and suffering several knockdowns throughout the bout. His relentless determination was evident as he repeatedly fought back from adversity and nearly finished Holloway in the second round.
Coach Mike Brown Reflects on the Timing of Poirier’s Retirement
Mike Brown, Poirier’s head coach, who has been by the fighter’s side through many ups and downs, believes the performance at UFC 318 clearly marked the right moment for Poirier to step away. Brown explained how the fight’s outcome might have influenced Poirier’s mindset toward retirement.
“It was the right time,”
Brown told MMA Fighting.
“Maybe in some ways had he won, it might bother him more to want to keep fighting. Even thought he was out, he was like maybe I should keep going, maybe that would be in his head. Right? Like I’m not sure. Maybe it was good for him that he had an exciting fight but didn’t get the ‘W.’ Maybe it was good for his psyche to accept that it’s time to move on.”
“Because maybe had he knocked Max out or something, maybe it would bother him that he’s retiring too early or something like this. He’s obviously one of the best lightweights of all time. His resume is incredible and all that. But it was time. It’s good for him. He’s made a great life for himself.”
Early Struggles and Dramatic Moments in the Bout
The fight didn’t begin smoothly for Poirier. In the opening round, Holloway burst out aggressively and landed a powerful combination that sent Poirier to the canvas. Holloway immediately mounted and unleashed a flurry of punches, putting Poirier in a dire position that had many fearing an early finish.
Mike Brown admitted that sequence was frightening to watch.
“It was scary as hell,”
Brown recalled.
“I thought oh no, it was like worst-case scenario. He got hurt bad, he dropped and now all of a sudden he’s mounted. Almost like a body triangle, almost the worst situation you could be in. It’s like oh no, how does he get out of this? This is not what we want. But somehow like he does, he survived it, battled out, got back to his feet, the place went nuts. Then he dropped Max shortly after in the next round. So it brought some big drama to the event and made for an exciting show.”
“Had he got stopped in the first, that would have been terrible. Then, we’d be singing a different tune. We’d all be not so content with what went down. It would be a nightmare. But it was a great fight. I thought it was a competitive fight. In the end, Max won but I thought it was a competitive fight and Dustin had his opportunities. Had he done a few things differently or landed a couple of shots, the outcome could have been different.”
Poirier’s Signature Move Nearly Changed the Outcome
In the second round, after barely escaping an almost finish, Poirier turned the tide by knocking Holloway down. Poirier quickly attempted to finish the fight with a guillotine choke, a submission hold he often tries but never successfully ended a fight with during his career.
Viewing Poirier’s attempt at his favored submission in his last fight was not surprising to Mike Brown, who felt a fleeting moment of hope.
“Honestly in that moment, I was happy he went for it,”
Brown said.
“I was like wow, I was thinking damn, there is a god. If he hits this, there’s no doubt about it, there is a god and he is involved in fighting. Had that happened, I would have thought for sure something’s going on here. Somebody’s pulling the strings. But I’m back to I’m not certain.”
“That was incredible. He hurt him, it was short time and who would have thought that Max would be on his knees grabbing at his legs. We thought there was no chance he was ever going to be in a position to be jumping guillotine. There he was. He had one more guillotine for the road.”
Final Outcome and Poirier’s Lasting Legacy
The fight went the distance, with Max Holloway earning a unanimous decision. While Holloway moves forward in his career, Poirier left the octagon to officially retire, ending an era for one of MMA’s most respected lightweights. Mike Brown expressed pride in Poirier’s final performance and is confident this was truly the end of his fighting journey.
Brown also noted the profound support Poirier received from his home state of Louisiana, emphasizing the fighter’s lasting legacy.
“[Max Holloway is] really also one of the best fighters in the world, a legend, a Hall of Famer. So it wasn’t an easy fight,”
Brown said.
[Dustin] challenged himself. He didn’t want an easy fight. He wanted a guy that was going to push him and be a tough fight. That’s what he got. Kudos to him for wanting to push himself.”
“I’m happy that he got out unhurt, unscathed and with no major damage. 99-percent are forced out. Very few do it like Dustin did and picked his own path and chose his time to go.”
What Dustin Poirier’s Retirement Means for MMA
Dustin Poirier’s decision to retire after UFC 318 is a significant moment in MMA history given his long and successful career marked by resilience and skill. His retirement underscores the importance of timing in a fighter’s career and serves as an example of choosing when to step away on one’s own terms. Poirier leaves behind a remarkable record and a reputation for heart in the octagon, inspiring fighters and fans alike.
As Max Holloway continues his journey, Poirier’s departure reminds the MMA community of the physical and mental challenges fighters endure and the respect earned through perseverance. The sport now looks forward to how both athletes will shape their legacies—whether continuing competitively or contributing in new roles outside competition.