Paddy Pimblett reveals his pick for Poirier vs Holloway BMF title showdown at UFC 318

Fan-favorites Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier are set to clash, for a third time, in the main event of UFC 318 on July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

With the BMF title on the line and Poirier announcing it as his retirement bout in his home state of Louisiana, the stakes couldn't be higher.

Poirier holds a 2-0 edge over Holloway, having handed the Hawaiian his first UFC loss in 2012, denying him a second-division title in 2019 and ending a 13-fight win streak. Despite that dominance, Paddy Pimblett is backing Holloway to turn the tide in their trilogy fight.



Speaking on The Verse Us Podcast with Eric Nicksick, Pimblett said Holloway has plenty of motivation going into this bout, especially after suffering the first knockout loss of his career to Ilia Topuria earlier this year at UFC 309.

"It'd be heavy for Holloway if there's two different fighters who've beat him three times," Pimblett said. "I've seen him say, '[Poirier] took a lot from me. He gave me my first loss and took away my win streak. So, I'm gonna take his retirement fight'."

Though Holloway enters as a slight underdog, Pimblett believes the circumstances may favor him.

"I can see Holloway winning, to be honest. Don't know why. Dustin's fighting in his hometown, his last fight. Everyone expects him to win. The pressure - I think he might [lose]," Pimblett said.

While acknowledging Poirier's previous victories, Pimblett pointed to the intangible edge Holloway might have this time: hunger, legacy, and unfinished business.

"You might think it’s a bit more favorable because he beat him twice, though," Pimblett said, acknowledging why Poirier is the betting favorite heading into UFC 318.