Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) defeats Michael Chandler (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC 318 – Dustin Poirier Gets Special Walkout For Retirement Fight!

Dustin Poirier gets a major superstar to walk him out to the octagon for his final fight at UFC 318 in New Orleans!

Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Dustin Poirier (red gloves) defeats Michael Chandler (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Few departures in the UFC carry the emotional weight of Dustin Poirier’s upcoming retirement fight. The Lafayette native has been throwing leather in the UFC since 2011, grinding his way from a scrappy featherweight prospect to one of the most beloved lightweights in the sport. Poirier carved out a legacy built on grit and pure violence. Now, as he prepares for his final walk to the cage at UFC 318 in New Orleans, ‘The Diamond’ is making sure his sendoff matches the magnitude of his career.

What makes this retirement fight even more special is the setting. New Orleans holds a special place in combat sports history, and having a Louisiana legend like Poirier headlining at the Smoothie King Center feels like destiny. It’s the kind of storybook ending that rarely happens in professional fighting.

Dustin Poirier Set To Have Lil Wayne Walk Him Out

The star power surrounding Poirier’s farewell fight just got a massive boost with the confirmation that rap superstar Lil Wayne will walk him out for his retirement bout. Wayne, a New Orleans icon himself, represents the culture and spirit of Louisiana that Poirier has carried throughout his career.

Having Wayne in his corner for this final moment in the UFC spotlight adds layers of meaning to an already emotional night. The rapper’s presence will undoubtedly electrify the crowd and give Poirier an extra surge of hometown energy. Wayne’s team confirmed their interest in making the walk, though as Poirier noted, they are still working out the final details. The plan apparently involves starting with a Lil Wayne track before switching to James Brown, creating a musical journey that captures both the modern Louisiana vibe and classic soul power (although some fans might be sad that ‘Diamonds’ by Willie Spence is not on his final walkout list.)

Dustin Poirier says he'll be walking out with Lil Wayne for his retirement fight in New Orleans at #UFC318 👀

"His guy said he's in. But we're still a good ways out, so we'll see. But as of right now, yes."

(via @Full_Violence) pic.twitter.com/rwMwhRq5mj
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 18, 2025

While the walkout music and celebrity appearances grab headlines, Poirier still has serious business to handle inside the cage. Max Holloway, the former featherweight champion and current BMF champion, presents a fascinating final opponent for ‘The Diamond.’ These two have tangled twice before, with Poirier winning both encounters, but Holloway has evolved significantly since their last meeting. The Hawaiian striker has shown incredible durability and striking volume throughout his career, making him a dangerous farewell dance partner. The trilogy fight gives Poirier a chance to cement his legacy against a respected veteran who brings out the best in everyone he faces.

(Image Credit: Jessica Alcheh – 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!