Scheduled for July 19th in Louisiana, UFC 318 is shaping up to be one of the weakest pay-per-view (PPV) events in recent UFC history. Headlined by a trilogy bout between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway for the symbolic “BMF” (Baddest Motherf***er) belt, the event lacks the prestige of an undisputed title fight and is drawing criticism from fans for its lackluster card construction. While Poirier’s retirement bout will no doubt carry emotional weight, the event as a whole lacks the firepower expected of a numbered UFC PPV.
A major sticking point for fans is that UFC 318 does not feature a single undisputed championship bout. This is a rarity for a numbered UFC pay-per-view, with the last example being UFC 272 back in March 2022. That card featured a grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, two big-name welterweights with a history, but even then, it was a last-minute change due to injuries to titleholders. UFC 272 was supposed to feature title fights, including a trilogy between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway and a bantamweight title rematch between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan. However, injuries derailed both matchups.
In contrast, UFC 318 was never planned to feature an undisputed title bout, which makes its absence even more glaring. This is especially disappointing for a summer PPV, which often serves as a highlight of the UFC’s calendar year. Fans typically expect at least one title bout, if not two, to headline these events. The lack of championship stakes significantly reduces the event’s importance in the broader competitive landscape.
The main event between Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway is certainly appealing from a sentimental and entertainment standpoint. The two have fought twice before, with Poirier winning both bouts. This third meeting, presumably Poirier’s final fight, will serve as a fitting farewell in his home state. However, the BMF belt, while fan-friendly, holds no real competitive value. It’s a marketing tool more than a championship, and it doesn’t carry the same weight as a sanctioned title bout.
This won’t be the first time Poirier has headlined a PPV without a title on the line. UFC 257 and UFC 264 saw him face Conor McGregor in the main event. UFC 257 served as a blockbuster rematch that was the de facto No. 1 contender fight after Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement. Those cards had the star power of McGregor, whose name alone sells pay-per-views. UFC 318 lacks that kind of transcendent draw. Both Poirier and Holloway are beloved by hardcore fans, but neither carries the mainstream glamour of McGregor.
The co-main event is a middleweight bout between Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen, currently ranked 10th and 11th respectively. Both fighters are coming off two straight losses, which further dampens enthusiasm for the fight. While both men are talented and have had flashes of brilliance, their current form doesn’t warrant co-main event billing on a PPV, especially one without a true title fight. This fight was originally one that fans wanted to see after their scuffle at a PFL event, but both fighters have lost fights since the incident.
Contrast this with UFC 257’s co-main event, which featured the UFC debut of Michael Chandler against number seventh ranked (at the time) Dan Hooker. That bout had stakes, intrigue, and excitement, everything UFC 318’s co-main is lacking. Vettori vs. Allen might be a fun scrap, but it feels more appropriate for a Fight Night card or the opening bout of a PPV, not the second-most important fight on the card.
While Poirier and Holloway are icons of the sport, both are coming off losses in title fights. Poirier was submitted by Islam Makhachev in a lightweight championship bout, while Holloway was knocked out by Ilia Topuria in a featherweight title clash. Losing to two of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite isn’t shameful, but it does diminish the sense of momentum and legitimacy going into a BMF title bout. This feels more like a respectful farewell than a fight with real divisional consequences.
I am a fan of both Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway, so it will be tough to see one of them lose. It is still a fun fight, but does it deserve to headline to PPV? I don’t think so. The only reason this is acceptable is because it is Poirier’s retirement fight, and being a legend of the sport, he deserves a sendoff of this magnitude. With the UFC doing this for Poirier, they need to also stack the card to make it worth the PPV, of which they haven’t.
There is still plenty of time to add fights to the card, with it being over a month away, but fighters need that time to prepare. So, with every day that passes with no fight announcement, the odds of fights getting added are less and less likely. I would like to put my faith in the UFC and hope that they have something big planned for this even, but as of right now it does not look good.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
