When Dustin Poirier was scheduled to fight at UFC 143 back in 2012, his original opponent was Erik Koch. Then Koch withdrew, paving the way for Ricardo Lamas to step in. Lamas got injured, and some 4-0 Hawaiian named Max Holloway was brought in on short notice to headline the FX prelims. Poirier ended up winning by triangle-armbar, but Holloway gave it a good effort and showed glimpses of his future greatness.
Seven years later, Holloway stands at the UFC’s reigning men’s featherweight champion, while Poirier is vying for the interim lightweight title against the man he beat, and indeed is the only one to finish Max.