Dustin Poirier praises ‘legend’ Max Holloway ahead of UFC 318

Dustin Poirier has labeled Max Holloway as a “legend” ahead of their BMF title fight at UFC 318 in Louisiana later this year.

The top two lightweight contenders will face off for the third time at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on July 19, with Poirier having won their two previous meetings.

Poirier was a favorite across MMA bookies in both fights, first submitting Holloway at UFC 143 and then defeating him again at UFC 236 to win the interim lightweight title.

Despite his past success against Holloway, Poirier made it clear this week that he holds his longtime rival in the highest regard.

“It’s happening. I’m super excited,” he said.

“There’s nobody else I would rather be standing across from when I lay the gloves down or when I go into my final fight.

“Max is a legend. I’ve got so much respect for the guy. He’s done it all right.

“I was his first fight in the UFC, and he’s going to be my last.”

Looking ahead to July, Poirier is hoping to retire on top by claiming the BMF title.

“If I can get my hand raised again — retire with the BMF belt — I’m the BMF forever,” he said.

“[To] be the last BMF champion and ride off into the sunset and retire, hey, that’s forever.”

According to top UFC bookmakers, Poirier enters the pair’s third fight as a narrow favorite at -120.48.

Holloway, who captured the BMF title with a stunning knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, is priced as a +100 underdog by leading betting sites.

Poirier heads into UFC 318 after a mixed run of results. Following his BMF title triumph, he returned to featherweight, where he fell short in a title bid against Ilia Topuria.

Poirier, meanwhile, is coming off a submission loss to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship, in which Neds had the 36-year-old at +280 to win.

Despite the setback, Poirier remains confident of concluding his career with a third victory over Holloway.

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