Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling believes that Max Holloway deliberately refused to finish Dustin Poirier early on UFC 318.
BMF title holder Max Holloway retained his championship belt and spoiled Dustin Poirier's pension fight on UFC 318 on Saturday. Holloway and Poirier delivered high expectations of their trilogy, while the two lightweight stars treated fans at a five-round Slugfest in New Orleans.
Despite the loss of his last UFC fight, Poirier runs away from fighting like a legend and added a characteristic version to his great CV. But early in the fight it seemed that the last hurray of Poirier would be demolished, because Holloway deserved a large knock -down in the opening minutes.
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Aljamain Sterling ask Max Holloway's inability to finish Dustin Poirier on UFC 318
A little less than two minutes in round 1, Holloway Poirier dropped twice in a wild order and appeared to finish his triple rival. But despite Holloway's busy and brutal ground and pound offense, Poirier was able to survive the early barrage and to go the full five-round distance.
Holloway's Round 1 height points led him to make a unanimous decision on Poirier and spoil the pension competition of the latter. But according to a former UFC champion, Holloway deliberately refused to finish Poirier in round 1, even though he had him on the edge of an interruption.
In a recent message on X, former UFC Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling expressed his position that Holloway Poirier left the hook of UFC 318.
“I thought I was the only one who felt so about this series,” Sterling began.
“Only Max can say, but it seemed that he could have stepped a little more on the gas if he wanted to delay it during the holes where he just seems to be delayed when throwing strikes.”
Holloway repeatedly reflected his intentions to play the 'spoiler' role on UFC 318 while he returned in his last fight from a brutal ko loss to Ilia Topuria. Holloway and Poirier have shared a lot of respect for each other during their career, so that the statement of Sterling was fueled.
In addition to the claims of Sterling, Poirier says that Holloway told him that he was 'gone' after he was in round 2. Poirier has almost assured a guillotine -choke submission after dropping the BMF champion with a huge blow.
You don't want to hear this now and I completely understand it … but Max pulled back here pic.twitter.com/pxlos89ogb
– MMA² (@mma_squared) July 20, 2025
Dustin Poirier shared a heart -warming moment with Max Holloway's son Backstage on UFC 318
After their five -round war on UFC 318, Holloway, Poirier and their respective teams shared some heart -warming moments of backstage. Poirier had a viral moment with Holloway's son, Rush, while the last Poirier congratulated on his retirement.
The interaction of Poirier and Rush came six years after Poirier Backstage comforted after the rematch loss of Holloway at UFC 236. Rush was visible emotional after Holloway's long winning series ended, and Poirier showed the class to assure him that his father was good and healthy.
After his retirement on UFC 318, the next UFC stop from Poirier will probably be in the Hall of Fame Wing of the promotion. As far as Holloway is concerned, he is approaching a potentially lightweight title shot and a chance of revenge on Topuria.