Mixed martial arts enthusiasts can now circle June 19 on their calendars, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship has officially unveiled the full fight card for UFC 318, set to take place in New Orleans. Headlining a comprehensive lineup of 14 bouts is a highly anticipated rubber match between two of the sport`s most decorated lightweight veterans: Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway.
The announcement confirms the stacked nature of the event, featuring a mix of pivotal matchups across multiple weight classes, promising a night of significant action and potential title picture implications.
Main Card Highlights
The main event sees Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway meet for the third time. Poirier holds two previous victories over Holloway, and this third encounter carries immense weight, not least because Poirier has indicated this could potentially be his final walk to the octagon. Facing Holloway, a former featherweight champion known for his relentless pressure and striking volume, for a third time represents a stern test and a fitting capstone, should this indeed be Poirier`s retirement fight.
In the co-main event slot, former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa makes his return against the hard-hitting Roman Kopylov. Costa looks to reassert himself in the division against Kopylov, who has demonstrated significant knockout power in recent outings, making this a potentially explosive pairing.
Welterweight action features the incredibly active Kevin Holland, stepping into the cage for what will reportedly be his fourth fight already in 2025. He takes on Daniel Rodriguez in a matchup that pits two durable and offense-minded fighters against each other, promising an engaging striking battle.
The main card also marks the second UFC appearance for former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio `Pitbull` Freire. Following a challenging debut decision loss to Yair Rodriguez, Pitbull is tasked with navigating the dangerous waters of the UFC`s featherweight division once again. His opponent, Dan Ige, is a bona fide knockout artist with proven power in his hands. One might have hoped for a gentler welcome back to the octagon after his debut, but Dan Ige, known for delivering lights-out performances, offers no such courtesies. This bout is a critical test for Pitbull`s standing in the UFC.
Rounding out the pay-per-view portion of the card is a lightweight clash between the always exciting Michael Johnson and the promising Daniel Zellhuber. Both fighters possess fight-finishing capabilities, and their styles seem tailor-made for explosive exchanges, making this a fight with a high likelihood of not going the distance.
Preliminary Bouts
The preliminary portion of UFC 318 features several intriguing contests, including notable names and rising prospects:
- Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira
- Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen (A significant middleweight matchup)
- Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov
- Ateba Gautier vs. Robert Valentin
- Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov
- Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio
- Ryan Spann vs. Lukasz Brzeski
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey
- Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari
With a total of 14 fights announced, UFC 318 in New Orleans is shaping up to be a substantial event, capped by a trilogy fight that carries significant historical and personal stakes for both headliners and promises a memorable night for fight fans.
