Apr 13, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT) 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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UFC 318: Does This PPV Stand On Just The Main Event?

Get to know if the UFC 318 PPV event just rides on the back of the main event between Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 3!

Pay-per-view cards have always been the bread and butter of the UFC’s business model. Back in the early 2000s, the company struggled to put together events that could justify asking fans to shell out fifty bucks for a night of fights. Those were the days when a single big name could carry an entire card, and sometimes that was all they had. The UFC has come a long way since then, building a roster so deep that most pay-per-view events feature multiple compelling matchups from top to bottom.

However, not every pay-per-view card hits that sweet spot of depth and star power. Sometimes the UFC finds itself in a position where they need to lean heavily on one marquee fight to sell an entire event. This approach isn’t necessarily bad, but it does raise questions about value and whether casual fans will tune in for just one big fight. The most successful pay-per-view events typically feature at least two or three fights that could headline their own cards. When that balance isn’t there, the pressure on the main event becomes enormous, and the supporting cast often gets overlooked entirely.

The BMF Title Carries The Card

UFC 318 finds itself in exactly this situation with Max Holloway defending his BMF title against Dustin Poirier. This fight absolutely deserves the main event spotlight and has all the ingredients for a classic battle. Both fighters have built legendary careers, and their styles mesh perfectly for an entertaining scrap. Holloway’s volume striking and relentless pace against Poirier’s power and veteran savvy creates a compelling narrative that writes itself. The BMF title adds an extra layer of intrigue, even if some fans still debate whether the belt means anything significant in the grand scheme of things. On top of that, this is the farewell fight for Poirier.

The problem isn’t with the main event quality. It is with everything else on the card. Looking down the lineup, fans will struggle to find another fight that casual fans would recognize or get excited about. Paulo Costa versus Roman Kopylov represents the closest thing to a co-main event worthy fight. However, Costa’s recent inconsistency has dimmed his star considerably. Marvin Vettori taking on Brendan Allen might excite hardcore fans who appreciate technical middleweight battles, but it won’t move the needle for mainstream audiences. The rest of the card reads like a solid Fight Night event rather than pay-per-view material.

UFC 318 main card just dropped.

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— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 29, 2025

The UFC’s matchmaking team likely faced some challenges putting this card together. Injuries, scheduling conflicts, and fighter availability can wreak havoc on the best-laid plans. Neil Magny vs Gunnar Nelson could steal the show if both veterans bring their A-game. Michael Johnson facing Daniel Zellhuber has the potential for explosive moments given both fighters’ finishing abilities. The issue isn’t necessarily the quality of fighters involved. It’s the lack of recognizable names that casual fans will pay to see.

(Image Credit: John David Mercer – Imagn Images)

Dustin Poirier

Max Holloway

UFC 318

Zaid Quraishi

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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!