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UFC 318 Preview: Epick Trilogy BMF between Holloway and Poirer + Betting Winder Guirufc 318 Review: Holloway vs Pourier III – full breakdown and forecasts

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UFC 318 lands July 19, 2025at the Smoothie King Center in Nowy Orleana, Louisiana, headed by the Showdown trilogy between Max Holloway AND Dustin Poirer. This event, called the title of BMF and meaning “The Diamond”, this event promises fireworks. Read on to get a full division of a combat card, live and bookmaking observations.

Combat card review

Attack Fighters Chances
BMF Title: Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier Holloway defends the BMF belt
– – Max Holloway -130 to -145
– – Dustin Poirer +110 to +118
Average weight: Roman Kopylov vs. Paulo Costa -240 / +200
Highlighter: Kevin Holland vs Daniel Rodriguez -450 / +340
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs Patricio Pitbull -175 / +145
Lithe: Daniel Zellhuber versus Michael Johnson -590 / +390
Additional initial and early fighting with opportunities from +128 to -700

Event details and context

UFC 318 takes place Saturday, July 19, 2025. The main card emits at 22:00 ET via ESPN+ PPV, with early admission at

The struggle culminates in the historical competition of Poirier and Holloway: Poirer conducts 2-0 with winning in 2012 and winning in the decision in 2019. The last Holloway form includes winning the BMF belt at UFC 300 and lost to Ilia Topuria. Pourier announced his retirement after this last duel, and the compatriot from Louisiana comes out next to the legend of Recent Orleans Lil Wayne.

Main chances to bet on events and analysis

Max Holloway He is a favorite of plants in various bookmakers:

  • Fanduel / betmgm chances: -132 to -145
  • Dustin Poirer: +104 to +118

Analysts Walertalk and Vsin bend towards Holloway because of the “retirement fade”, striking the high volume of Hollowaya and its reflection potential after losing Topuria. Betmgm notices Holloway as -130 favorite compared to the +110 poirier.

  1. Roman Kopeles (-250) vs. Paulo Costa (+200)
    Kopylov enters the rush, the last wins Ko and a striking advantage. Costa is a former pretender with high power and wrestling ability
  2. Kevin Holland (-450) vs Daniel Rodriguez (+340)
    Holland provides a recent momentum and finishing capacity. Rodriguez offers alternating certificates and the power overdue in the fighting
  3. I IGE (-175) vs Patricio “Pitbull” (+145)
    Disciplined striking and youth IgE favors him. Pitbull, a decorated veteran, aims to buy back UFC after the heritage of Bellator
  4. Daniel Zellhuber (-590) vs Michael Johnson (+390)
    The expected favorite Zellhuber will be Steamroll Johnson, the chances reflect the huge mismatch

Plant advice and forecasts

  • Holloway vs poirier: Lean Holloway (Favorite -130), but Underdog Poirier +110 has a potential emotional value and a path depending on the path
  • Kopylov vs Costa: Kopylov Favors (-240/–250), although Costa’s durability can push it to the decision.
  • IgE vs pitbull: IgE on -175 is an clever package – Youth and striking precision give him an advantage
  • Props: Over/Pod rounds in the main event

Why UFC 318 matters

  • Farewell to the poirier: The legendary career ends in his family state with fans of his hometown.
  • Title BMF drama: Holloway is looking for redemption and rush to future airy glory.
  • Card depth: Fight fans have robust shows and stylish clashes in various divisions.
  • Curtain: A crowd of Louisiana, special guests and an emotional advantage at home contribute to a charged atmosphere.

FAQ

1. When does UFC 318 take place?
Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in Nowy Orleans.

2. What are the main chances of the event?
Holloway is favored around -130 to -145; Pourier +110 to +118.

3. Who are factories to watch?
Kopylov (-240), Holland (-450) and IGE (-175) are the key favorites.

4. Where can I watch UFC 318?
Early preliminary preliminary at 18:00 ET on ESPN2/ESPN+; Prelim at 20:00; Main card at 22:00 ET on ESPN+ PPV.

5. Does the poirier retire after this fight?
Yes, this is his last UFC fight after a 14-year career.

6. What does BMF mean?
“Baddest Mother F ** Ker” – an honorary UFC title known for legendary duels.

Final shot

UFC 318 provides high rates and emotional depth: Holloway striking under high pressure will face the resistance of the poirier in retirement homage. Add robust cooperation plants and a solid card line, and you have an attractive PPV value. Regardless of whether you support your favorites or hunt for the weaker, chances for a lively night.

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Max Holloway questions Islam Makhachev walking around with 2 belts, Makhachev responds

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Max Holloway questions Islam Makhachev walking around with 2 belts, Makhachev responds

Max Holloway has some questions about Islam Makhachev's style choices, namely the choice to carry not one, but two belts on his person.

Makhachev recorded the first successful defense of his welterweight title this past Saturday in the main event of UFC 330 with a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry. Having previously defended the lightweight title four times, Makhachev joined Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes as the only UFC fighters to successfully defend belts in two weight classes.

However, Makhachev vacated the 155-pound title to move up to 170, and the lightweight title has already been claimed by two other fighters since with Ilia Topuria winning the vacant belt by defeating Charles Oliveira, and now Justin Gaethje currently holding it after upsetting Topuria at UFC White House.

All of that has Holloway confused as to why Makhachev is still sporting double gold.

“Why the f*ck do you have two belts?†Holloway asked on his Kick channel. “For aura? I mean, it is what it is, like, you are, but you're not.â€

It should be noted that a new UFC belt is made every time a fighter wins a championship for the first time, meaning Makhachev still has his own that he won back in 2022, while a new one was made for Topuria. Makhachev is also not the first fighter to walk around with two belts, though as Holloway points out, it doesn't appear as if Makhachev has any plans to return to the lightweight division.

“That was temporary but now you're just defending one belt, bro,†Holloway said. “Why you keep—I don't know. I don't know, guys.â€

Holloway is no stranger to championship glory, having reigned as featherweight king from 2017-2019. He also won the “BMF†title in 2024 with an all-time great knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

On Monday afternoon, Makhachev responded to Holloway via a post on MMA Fighting's Instagram.

“I don't know, bro,†Makhachev wrote. “It's even too heavy to hold. But you don't understand, sorry.â€

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Coach apologizes to Gillian Robertson for ‘despicable’ decision at UFC 330

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Coach apologizes to Gillian Robertson for ‘despicable’ decision at UFC 330

Din Thomas owned his mistake after UFC 330.

On Saturday night, Thomas served double duty at the UFC event, working both as an on-air analyst and cornering Gillian Robertson in her strawweight title bid against Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event. Unfortunately, the latter didn't go so well, as Robertson lost a lackluster decision to Dern. But things got worse afterward, when Thomas announced during the UFC 330 post-show that he was retiring from cornering fighters, in a manner many felt was disrespectful to Robertson.

On Monday, Thomas, who hosts the UFC's Deep Waters show on YouTube, addressed the controversy at the start of their show, apologizing to Robertson for his behavior.

“We know how this is: it's an emotional rollercoaster,†Thomas said. “You're dealing with the same insecurities, the same highs and lows. Everything leading up to it, you have to deal with all that stuff. It's an emotional rollercoaster. And I've been very vocal about this, that it's not my favorite thing to do. I've tried to quit time and time before. When Tyron Woodley got knocked out by Jake Paul, I was like, ‘Yo, it's my last time doing this. It's my last time doing this; I'm not doing this no more.'

“But I took on Gillian, and I have to say, Saturday night was the most inappropriate time to bring up the fact that I did not want to corner again. It was completely irresponsible. It was despicable. I shouldn't have done it. I should have waited until maybe even today. I should have waited to a different time than take away her moment.â€

A respected former fighter and coach, Thomas has worked with Robertson since the beginning of her career, and especially because of that, he says that Robertson deserved better.

“This is a young lady that I've worked with for her entire career,†Thomas said. “The last seven years, it's just been me and her, working endlessly, just together — travelling, working together. They don't understand that we've been working endlessly, time and time again, together.

“I remember her coming to me crying, ‘I would like to win two in a row, three in a row.' And she went on this amazing run; she's broken records, and I, selfishly, stole her moment that night. Instead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. And I want to apologize to her for that, because I stole her moment. I was completely wrong. I'm ashamed; I'm embarrassed. But I'm not too big to say I'm sorry.

“And for her, Gillian, I love you. I got your back. I've always had your back. This is not the end. I've always had your back, and I want you to know I'm always here for you. I'm always going to support you, and whatever you need, I'm always here for you. The same way I've been for you for the last seven years when it was just us. …

“It's been eating at me all weekend. I wish I could have did it sooner, but I couldn't. I didn't have the chance to. So, Gillian, I'm sorry. I hope you accept my apology. If it takes however long, that's how long it takes. But I'm sorry for stealing your moment, and I'm proud of you. Not only for what you've done in terms of your run, winning five in a row, getting a title shot, but even that night, coming back and winning the last round. Being able to do that in a title fight. So, I'm sorry. I hope you accept my apology. From the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry.â€

And while he makes no excuses for his actions, Thomas suggested that this whole incident happened because he was still hurting from Robertson's loss, and then had to go on air.

“In my head, I'm thinking, ‘I'm just trying to get the hell out of here. I don't want to do this no more. I'm sick of this!'†Thomas said. “… I'm heartbroken, but I've got to get on the desk and be objective, as well. And at the same time, I'm thinking to myself, ‘Man, I don't even like cornering. I just want to go home. I'm trying to get out of here. This is a wrap.' So, it's a tough spot. But again, I'm still wrong. I shouldn't have done that.â€

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Next up? Islam Makhachev names most deserving title challenger

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Next up? Islam Makhachev names most deserving title challenger
Islam
Makhachev has named the ideal next challenger for his
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title.

Makhachev retained his belt with a hard-fought victory over
Ian
Garry at UFC
330 in Philadelphia. The Russian revealed that Carlos
Prates is the preferred next opponent after recording his first
title defense at welterweight.

Islam Makhachev backs Carlos Prates for next UFC welterweight
title shot

Prates and Michael
Morales, who were both in attendance at UFC 330, are in the
running for the next title shot, with Makhachev believing the
Brazilian currently has the stronger case. He dismissed Shavkat
Rakhmonov, who's been sidelined with injuries since December
2024, and Morales, who hasn't been as active as Prates.

“If you ask me today, Shavkat [Rakhmonov] is not fighting; Prates
is still fighting, still active,†Makhachev said during the
Paramount+ post-fight show. “Morales also is good, but I don't
remember the last time he fought. If you ask who is more deserving,
I think Carlos Prates.â€

Morales and Rakhmonov are both unbeaten, while Prates holds a
record of 24-7. The latter's last loss came against Garry in April
2025, but he has remained active since then, picking up finishes
against Geoff Neal
and two former champs: Leon
Edwards and Jack
Della Maddalena.

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