New Orleans to Host UFC 318 on July 19

Louisiana native and former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier will face current UFC ‘BMF’ champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318 on July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, the first pay-per-view event in the state of Louisiana in a decade.

“We’re excited to welcome Louisiana legend Dustin Poirier back to the state for a UFC main event in what will be his final bout,” said Jay Cicero, president and chief executive officer of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. “Hosting this event would not be possible without the support and partnership of the State of Louisiana, New Orleans & Company and the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Dustin’s journey from Lafayette to the top of the fight world is something all Louisianians can be proud of, and we look forward to watching him compete on the main stage at the Smoothie King Center in July.”

This will be the third time Poirier and Holloway have faced off in the UFC, including an interim lightweight championship fight in 2019 which Poirier won by unanimous decision. It will be the final fight of Poirer’s UFC career, as the Lafayette native bookends a hall of fame run in the octagon.

“There’s not a better guy I could think to fight in my retirement fight,” Poirier said last week at the NFL Draft in Green Bay. “He’s a legend, former champion, current BMF champion, so we’re going to put on another war.”

Poirier made his UFC debut in 2011 and is known for his victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. Poirier is also recognized for his philanthropic work through The Good Fight Foundation, which helps underserved communities in Louisiana.

UFC 318 will be the first of two large TKO events coming to New Orleans over the next year, as WrestleMania 42 will take place in New Orleans in spring 2026.