UFC 318 Holloway vs Poirier 3: Preview, fight card, start time, where to watch & more

Blesson has been a part of Khel Now since 2023, he covers Combat Sports & Gaming.

Published at :July 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM

Modified at :July 17, 2025 at 6:36 PM

(Courtesy : UFC)

UFC 318 features interesting matchups

UFC 318 marks the promotion’s return to New Orleans for the first time in over a decade, with the Smoothie King Center playing host to a stacked pay-per-view card.

In the main event, fan favorites Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier square off for the third time. This time with the coveted BMF title on the line. Holloway, the reigning titleholder, looks to finally notch a win over Poirier, who holds two previous victories over the Hawaiian. For Poirier, a native of nearby Lafayette, this fight could serve as a storybook send-off in front of his home-state crowd.

The event is loaded with high-stakes matchups across multiple divisions, offering a thrilling mix of title implications, rising stars, and seasoned contenders. With UFC 318 kicking off the summer schedule in style, fans can expect fireworks from start to finish in what promises to be one of the most entertaining cards of the year.

UFC 318 Holloway vs Poirier 3: Main Card

Max Holloway (c) vs Dustin Poirier (Lightweight, BMF championship)
Roman Kopylov vs Paulo Costa (Middleweight)
Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez (Welterweight)
Dan Ige vs Patricio Pitbull (Featherweight)
Daniel Zellhuber vs Michael Johnson (Lightweight)

UFC 318 Holloway vs Poirier 3: Preliminary Card

Vinicius Oliveira vs Kyler Phillips (Bantamweight)
Brendan Allen vs Marvin Vettor (Middleweight)
Francisco Prado vs Nikolay Veretennikov (Welterweight)
Ateba Gautier vs Robert Valentin (Middleweight)
Islam Dulatov vs Adam Fugitt (Welterweight)
Jimmy Crute vs Marcin Prachnio (Light heavyweight)
Ryan Spann vs Lukasz Brzeski (Light heavyweight)
Brunno Ferreira vs Jackson McVey (Middleweight)
Carli Judice vs Nicolle Caliari (Women’s flyweight)

Max Holloway (c) vs Dustin Poirier (Lightweight, BMF championship)

Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier meet for a third and final time in the UFC 318 main event, with the BMF Championship on the line.

Holloway captured the belt with a sensational knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 but suffered a setback against Ilia Topuria in his return to featherweight. Now, he’s back at lightweight, seeking revenge against a man who’s beaten him twice before.

Face-to-face in the French Quarter 👀@BlessedMMA vs @DustinPoirier 3 goes down this weekend at #UFC318![ LIVE SAT at 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/pXOc5d1pHc
— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2025

Poirier, fighting in his home state of Louisiana for the first time since 2015, looks to cap off his legendary career with one last victory. After dispatching Benoit Saint Denis earlier this year, “The Diamond” fell short in a title challenge against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

Their history runs deep, from their first bout as prospects to a five-round war for the interim title at UFC 236. With retirement looming for Poirier, expect fireworks in a bout that’s sure to be both emotional and explosive.

Roman Kopylov vs Paulo Costa (Middleweight)

Originally slated for International Fight Week, Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov will finally square off in the co-main event of UFC 318. Costa returns following a hard-fought decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302. Once unbeaten through 13 fights and a title challenger, the Brazilian now finds himself on shaky ground, having lost four of his last five. He’s in urgent need of a win to remain relevant in the stacked middleweight division.

Co-main reporting for duty 👊@BorrachinhaMMA | Roman Kopylov | #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/ERYnrWrKgj
— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2025

On the other side, Kopylov arrives with momentum, winning six of his last seven, including a gutsy split decision over Cesar Almeida and a third-round TKO of Chris Curtis. The Russian has quietly built a strong case for a spot in the middleweight rankings, and a win over Costa would solidify his place among the elite.

With the division in flux, this bout could shake up the standings. For Costa, it’s redemption. For Kopylov, it’s the chance to finally break through.

Date, Time and Venue

The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, United States, with the main card starting at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT (Saturday), 3 AM BST (Sunday, July 20), and 07:30 a.m. IST (Sunday, July 20) in India. Please note that these timings may vary depending on the duration of the main card fights

Where to watch UFC 318 Holloway vs Poirier 3 in India?

UFC 318 Holloway vs Poirier 3 will be aired live on Sony Sports Network and SonyLiv in India.

Where to watch around the globe?

To catch all the action of UFC 318 Holloway vs Poirier 3, prelims, and early prelims, tune in to ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, while the main card will be available on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

When and where is UFC 318 taking place?

A: UFC 318 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event marks UFC’s return to “The Big Easy” for the first time in over a decade and will feature a stacked fight card headlined by a BMF title bout between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.

Who is headlining UFC 318 and what’s at stake?

The main event of UFC 318 features a BMF Championship fight between Max Holloway (c) and Dustin Poirier. This will be their third meeting inside the Octagon. Holloway is looking to avenge two previous losses to Poirier, while Poirier is set to make his final UFC appearance in front of his home-state crowd.

How can fans watch UFC 318 live?

UFC 318 will be broadcast live on ESPN+ pay-per-view in the United States. Fans across different countries can also stream the event via regional broadcasting partners or UFC Fight Pass, depending on location. Check local listings for timing and availability.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.

Blesson

Blesson Daniel is a sub-editor who spends his days organizing words and managing social media, crafting bursts of creativity designed to make people smile. He occasionally dives into writing as well — whether it’s crafting articles, brainstorming ideas, or finding the perfect caption. Believing that every piece of writing offers an opportunity to tell a story, Blesson brings creativity and thoughtfulness to every project he takes on. When he’s not glued to his laptop, Blesson is likely planning his next travel adventure or losing himself in music. A passionate explorer of new places, sounds, and ideas, he believes in balancing work, play, and a good playlist in the background. Whether he’s editing, writing, or daydreaming about his next trip, Blesson is always chasing that sweet spot where creativity and curiosity collide to create something memorable.