UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the upcoming pay-per-view event in New Orleans was built to celebrate Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight. UFC 318 takes place at the Smoothie King Center on July 19 and features Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) facing Max Holloway in a trilogy bout for the BMF title. Without a doubt it will be a home state send off for Poirier, who is from Lafayette, which is almost a three hour drive from New Orleans.
Obviously everyone can’t fight for the BMF belt. It’s only brought out for special occasions by the promotion to hype of a matchup between fan favorite fighters that are certified show stoppers.