The official fight card for UFC 318, set to take place in the vibrant city of New Orleans on Saturday, June 19, has now been fully unveiled. The promotion has confirmed a robust lineup featuring fourteen bouts, culminating in a highly anticipated main event that carries significant narrative weight.
Headliner Drama: A Trilogy with Legacy on the Line
Capping off the night is a rubber match that no one initially expected, yet one that resonates deeply within the sport`s history: Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier facing Max “Blessed” Holloway. This lightweight contest marks the third time these two titans will stand across the octagon from each other. Poirier emerged victorious in their previous two encounters, first via submission in 2012 early in their careers, and then again via decision in 2019 for an interim title. The stakes are incredibly high this time around, particularly for Poirier, as the fight is being framed as potentially his final professional outing. Attempting to go 3-0 against an all-time great like Holloway would provide a definitive, if dramatic, conclusion to a glittering career.
Key Battles Populate the Main Card
The main card features several compelling matchups designed to deliver action. The co-main event features a middleweight showdown between former title challenger Paulo Costa and the dangerous Roman Kopylov. Costa, known for his powerful striking, looks to reassert himself in the division against Kopylov, who has shown formidable finishing capabilities.
In the welterweight division, the perennially active Kevin Holland steps into the cage for what astonishingly marks his fourth fight already in 2025. He takes on the tough Daniel Rodriguez in a matchup that promises striking exchanges. Featherweight action sees Dan Ige, fresh off an impressive victory, test his mettle against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. This represents Pitbull`s second appearance under the UFC banner, and facing a proven knockout artist like Ige immediately presents another significant challenge as he seeks his first UFC win following a decision loss in his debut. Rounding out the main card is a lightweight clash between veteran Michael Johnson and rising prospect Daniel Zellhuber, a pairing that possesses all the ingredients for a potential highlight-reel finish.
Depth Across the Prelims
While the main card commands the spotlight, the preliminary portion of UFC 318 features a full slate of fights involving a mix of established contenders and developing talent across various divisions. These bouts provide the foundational action for the event and often produce memorable moments of their own.
With the complete 14-fight lineup now confirmed and set for New Orleans on June 19, UFC 318 is officially ready to deliver a night packed with high-stakes mixed martial arts, headlined by a trilogy bout steeped in history and potential finality.
