Apr 13, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. Poirier won by unanimous decision. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 3 Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway fight at UFC 318!

Back in February 2012, a young Max Holloway stepped into the octagon on short notice for his UFC debut. He was just 4-0 as a professional and eager to make his mark. Standing across from him was Dustin Poirier, already 11-1 and looking like a seasoned veteran at 3-0 in the UFC. The fight didn’t last long. Poirier submitted Holloway with a mounted triangle armbar in the first round, sending the Hawaiian back to the drawing board.

Fast forward seven years, and these two had completely different stories to tell. They were set to meet again at UFC 236 in Atlanta, but this time it was for interim lightweight gold. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and both men had proven they were nowhere near the fighters they were seven years ago. Dustin Poirier once again proved that the first victory wasn’t a fluke as he won the fight via decision. Now they are set to run it again for the third time at UFC 318, and this will be Poirier’s last dance!

Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway Preview

This matchup represents a fascinating clash of styles and career trajectories. Holloway enters the fight as one of the most prolific strikers in UFC history, averaging over 7 significant strikes per minute throughout his career. His volume based approach has overwhelmed countless opponents, and his ability to maintain that pace for five full rounds remains unmatched. The Hawaiian’s striking arsenal includes everything from crisp boxing combinations to devastating body shots, all delivered with the kind of cardio that makes other fighters jealous.

Poirier brings a different set of weapons to this encounter. His boxing has always been his strongest suit, but he has developed into a much more complete fighter over the years. ‘The Diamond’s’ knockout power has been on full display at lightweight, where he’s finished six of his last nine opponents. His recent performance against Islam Makhachev showed he can still compete at the highest level, lasting nearly 23 minutes before succumbing to a submission. Before that setback, he delivered a brutal knockout of Benoit Saint Denis, proving his finishing ability remains intact.

Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 3 MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers at Fanduel have installed Holloway as a slight favorite at -128. Meanwhile, Poirier is coming back at +110. These odds suggest the fight is essentially a pick’em, with Holloway’s slight edge likely coming from his recent activity and overall body of work.

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The odds for the fight going the distance has also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is slightly higher and the odds (-108) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -118.

Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 3 Predictions And Picks

This fight has all the makings of a classic war between two legends of the sport. Max Holloway will likely try to use his volume striking to break Poirier down over five rounds, much like he’s done to so many other opponents. His cardio advantage typically becomes more pronounced as fights progress.

Dustin Poirier’s best path to victory lies in his power and grappling skills. He needs to make this fight ugly and physical, using his boxing to hurt Holloway early and often. If he can get the fight to the ground, his submission skills could prove decisive. The emotional factor of this being his final fight, combined with the home crowd support, might provide just enough extra motivation to get the job done.

If we bet on the fight, we are going against the grain and betting on Dustin Poirier to win the fight via decision or a late KO.

(Image Credit: John David Mercer – Imagn Images)

Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier

UFC 318

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!