Paddy Pimblett chooses between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway on UFC 318.
Two of the biggest fan favorites of the UFC collide for the third time on July 19 in New Orleans. The BMF title is at stake in the main event of UFC 318, a special map built around Poirier's pension fight in his home state of Louisiana.
Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway and has defeated the BMF champion through the entry and decision. Poirier spoiled Holloway's UFC debut in 2012 and are dreams to become a two-division champion in 2019.
From the first KO loss of his career against Ilia Topuria on UFC 309, Holloway is hungry to return to the win column and possibly to enter the lightweight title photo against Topuria later this month.
Holloway is a light gamble underdog against Poirier, where Pimblett likes its chances of UFC 318.
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Paddy Pimblett thinks that 'motivated' Max Holloway can pull Van Streek against Dustin Poirier
It is impossible to deny what Poirier has taken from Holloway.
A perfect UFC debut. An interim belt in lightweight and a dream fight with the unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov while Holloway stood on a 13-fighter win racing.
Pimblett does not see Holloway losing what is at stake.
“It would be tough for Holloway if there are two different hunters who defeated him three times,” said Pimblett on the fresh US podcast with Eric Nicksick.
“I saw him say:” He took a lot away from me. He gave me my first loss and he took my win reak away. So I'm going to take his pension fight … “
“I think Holloway is motivated,” said Pimblett about the BMF champion.
“I see Holloway winning, to be honest. Don't know why. I think it's just one of them. Dustin is fighting in his hometown, his last fight. Everyone expects him to win. The pressure – I think he could [lose].
“You may think it is a bit more favorable because he defeated him twice,” Pimblett said that Poirier was the favorite to win.
Dustin Poirier initially wanted Ilia Topuria for pension fight
When it comes to opponents for his last fight on UFC 318, Poirier said it was 'only legends'.
The former UFC -Interim -light weight champion did not like the sound of a fight with Paddy Pimblett when he still sustained through the ranks.
Instead of a trilogy with Holloway, someone he had already defeated twice, Poirier had asked for two other names at lightweight: former BMF champion Justin Gaethje and undisputed champion Ilia Topuria.
Poirier says that the UFC has not had a fight between him and lightweight champion Topuria, two of the best boxers in the division.
“Not once,” Poirier told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn.
'When he said he was going to 155, I text hunter [Campbell]. I text the UFC. I said, hey, what's going on? Let me know what is going on with this guy now that he is at 155.
“But they never entertained it …
“They told me it doesn't happen, and they wanted Max,” Poirier said about the UFC's plans for his pension fight.