Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway will share a bond 'Forever' after their trilogy fight on UFC 318.
Next weekend, on July 18 in New Orleans, the longest trilogy in UFC history will end. 13 years after they fought for the first time on UFC 143, Holloway and Poirier clash again, but this time for the BMF title in the main event of UFC 318.
Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway so far. 'The Diamond' spoiled Holloway's UFC debut by entry and broke his 13-Fight win-streak in a total war on UFC 236 years later.
Holloway will try to take on Poirier's pension fight and secure a title Rematch with UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria, the first and only person who eliminates him in 30 UFC fights.
Although they want to remove each other's heads, a UFC analyst says that there is enormous respect between Holloway and Poirier.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Din Thomas says that Dustin Poirier was 'so empathetic' to see Max Holloway stop by Ilia Topuria
Former UFC hunter Din Thomas says he was sitting at the employment agency with Poirier when Holloway was eliminated by Topuria on UFC 308, with details about his reaction.
“Looking at Dustin looked at Max Holloway fighting was a brother's fight,” said Thomas on one on one with Laura Sanko.
“Just before the knockout, you can hear Dustin go, move, move! No! No!”
“You can hear him and the passion he had for his brother who fights, not too good.
“He was so empathetic to Max at the time …
“Few people will ever experience a band like the band that these two will have,” Thomas continued.
“The fact that these guys have done so much and shared so much blood and sweat and those memories, and they are just so vulnerable at those moments.
“To share such a moment with a man and to have those moments. It is very difficult to describe and it is something that most people will never experience. The fact that Dustin has done this, with this man, and this will be the third time … they will have a bond forever.”
Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway are the only ranked light weights that fight
With UFC 317 in the books, the BMF title fight between Holloway and Poirier is the only ranked fight with lightweight during this time.
Despite his previous KO victory on Justin Gaethje on UFC 300, Holloway is behind him at #5 in the ranking. And behind Holloway is Poirier, who has two victories on him.
The rest of the division is currently without fighting. Ilia Topuria, who won the title on UFC 317 with a knockout from Charles Oliveira, will probably defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett.
Poirier has stated in the past that he will not extend his retirement for another title chance against Topuria.