Dana White has noted that the entire Pay-per-View event of UFC 318 was compiled as a tribute to the legendary career of Dustin Poirier.
Former interim champion Poirier will hang the gloves next Saturday in a rare return home in Louisiana. He has long represented the state in his fighting and gets the chance to let his career rest in a last BMF title fight with Max Holloway.
In the modern times of the UFC, pay-per-view events outside of Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden are almost always the result of a tourism board that pays the promotion a site costs to organize a show. But New Orleans seems to have been booked to give Poirier a good broadcast near his house.
Dana White brings tribute to Dustin Poirier while he confirms that UFC 318 was made for him
After UFC Nashville on Saturday evening, Dana White spoke with the press about a number of topics from the show of the promotion that had just ended. He even came to next week's big event and praised Dustin Poirier and his career, especially at the later stage.
“I think ESPN posted a list of the latter, like 11 people he fought,” White told the media when the opportunity was requested next week. “Seven of them were former world champions, he had an incredible career here. We love him, and I mean, we literally did this show for him, this card was built for him.”
In another interview with WDSU in Louisiana White added: “Over the world, Dustin Poirier is a big star for us. He has achieved a lot in sport. This is for him, to be honest with you. He wanted his last fight and his career in New Orleans so we are here.”
Dustin Poirier insisted on a Louisiana pension fight
Indeed, it has always been Poirier's ambition to bring the UFC back to Louisiana and perhaps to retire in the state. He comes from Lafayette, Louisiana, on the other side of the state, but he will still have great support from the city when he stands opposite the BMF -Riem next weekend.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Months before the show was ever confirmed, he explained that calls were underway for such an event. And he noticed how much an honor it would be to hang his gloves where it all started almost two decades ago for him.
“A pay-per-view in New Orleans this summer would be incredible,” he told the Schmo. “That is what I push forward. That is where the UFC is working and things get pretty close. Lay the gloves where it all started in Louisiana, it would be an honor for me.”