On Saturday, 19 July 2025, UFC 318 hits the Smoothie King Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana, headlined by the long-awaited third fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.
Halloway vs Poirier 3: Here’s what to expect
This clash, set in the lightweight division, carries even more weight as it doubles as Poirier’s planned retirement bout.
Here’s the back‑story in simple terms:
- Holloway is a former featherweight champion known for his fast hands, volume striking, and the “BMF” (baddest motherfucker) belt he carries as a symbolic accolade.
- Poirier used to hold the interim lightweight title and is respected for his powerful punches and grit in the octagon.
- Their first fight was back in February 2012 at UFC 143—Holloway lost via a triangle-armbar. Their second match in April 2019 at UFC 236 saw Poirier win a unanimous decision, capturing interim gold and stopping Holloway’s 13-fight win streak.
Now, this rubber match will decide who truly has the upper hand after a long rivalry.
As it’s poised to be Poirier’s final bow, expect fireworks and emotional stakes from both fighters.
UFC 318 main cards
Here’s a breakdown of the fights fans can look forward to on the big show:
Main Card (ESPN PPV):
- Max Holloway (c) vs. Dustin Poirier – lightweight, trilogy fight
- Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov – middleweight showdown
- Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez – welterweight matchup
- Dan Ige vs. Patrício “Pitbull” Freire – featherweight bout
- Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber – lightweight clash
Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+):
- Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira – bantamweight
- Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen – middleweight rematch waiting in the wings
- Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov – welterweight
- Ateba Abega Gautier vs. Robert Valentin – middleweight
Early Preliminary Card (ESPN2, ESPN+, Disney+, UFC Fight Pass):
- Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov – welterweight
- Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio – light heavyweight
- Ryan Spann vs. Łukasz Brzeski – heavyweight
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey – middleweight
- Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari – women’s flyweight
This stacked lineup ensures action-packed entertainment from start to finish.
UFC 318: How to watch in South Africa
For fans tuning in from South Africa, here’s how to catch the action:
- Check local TV listings – UFC 318 is likely to be available on channels like SuperSport or via pay‑per‑view providers. Confirm details in the lead-up to the event.
- Use streaming services – ESPN+ and Disney+ stream UFC events internationally. South African viewers may access these via VPN or South African-based streaming partners that hold UFC rights.
- Timing – The main card in New Orleans starts around 22:00 local time, which translates to 05:00 the following morning in South Africa (SAST). Prelims begin several hours earlier, so set your alarm!
- Subscriptions – Ensure you have an active streaming subscription and credit for any PPV fee.
- Reliable connection – MMA fights involve fast-action visuals. Connect to a stable internet and test your setup early to avoid disruptions.
This information will help South African viewers avoid last‑minute panic and enjoy the fight night fully.
