Is Max Holloway Opening as the Favorite Against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318?

Max Holloway is a slight betting favorite to send Dustin Poirier into retirement as the two warhorses complete their personal trilogy at UFC 318.

A Battle for the Ages

UFC 318 goes in mid-July at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans, where the BMF (that’s ‘Baddest Mother Well You Know’) five-round title bout finds champion Max Holloway as the current 5-6 (-120) UFC 318 fight odds favorite against the even-money Dustin Poirier. 

It’s UFC’s first visit to NOLA in a decade.

Thirty-four-year-old Hawaiian Holloway was last seen losing (third-round knockout) to Ilia Topuria in a UFC 308 (United Arab Emirates) featherweight title fight. With a record of 26-8, he had won five of his previous half-dozen fights.

Thirty-six-year-old Louisiana native Poirier has a record of 30-9 (1 no contest). He also comes in off a (fifth-round submission) loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 (Newark, N.J.), a UFC lightweight title event. Poirier is ‘home’ in what is his retirement fight.  

Holloway and Poirier aren’t exactly strangers to one another (more about that later in this missive), as both remain popular wagering propositions in UFC fights. 

UFC boss Dana White has put together an intriguing UFC 318 card in the Big Easy, which also includes a featherweight tilt between Dan Ige and Patricio Pitbull as well as middleweights Ateba Gautier-Robert Valetin and Paulo Costa-Roman Kopylov. 

Back to our theme, here’s a bit of a primer on Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier as they headline July’s UFC schedule…    

Did Max Holloway Fight Khabib?

There was a scheduled (UFC 223, Brooklyn) lightweight title bout between Max Holloway and Khabib Nurmagomedov back in 2018. Holloway was ‘scratched’ due to health issues regarding issues to his weight. Khabib disposed of replacement Al Iaquinta via five-round decision, 

How Many Times Did Max Holloway Fight Dustin Poirier?

As was mentioned, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier know each other quite well. Their UFC 318 engagement completes the trilogy. Poirier was a winner (unanimous decision) at UFC 236 (Atlanta) in 2019, after Poirier won (first-round submission) way back at UFC 143 (Las Vegas) in 2012.

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on UFC Fights Betting Lines?

While UFC news is the place to see who’s fighting whom, BetUS is the go-to site to find the latest UFC fights odds ahead of every numbered event, as well as any Fight Night program. 

Looking at the post-UFC 318 schedule, there’s UFC 319 (August in Chicago), UFC 320 (early October in Las Vegas), and UFC 321 (late October in the United Arab Emirates). The next UFC Fight Night is mid-July in Nashville.

UFC 319’s ledger includes Khamzat Chimaev (-170) against Dricus Du Plessis (+140) in a middleweight title bout.  Odds around other bouts figure to be available in the next few days.  

Remember the board, including UFC 318 fight odds, is fluid, thus subject to change.  

Any Final Thoughts?

Those who pay attention to UFC rumors can recite the resumes of both Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. The latter looks to complete a three-bout sweep, going out a winner in his hometown. Those who wager on UFC would be wise to bookmark BetUS to find the latest odds.