Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

What Time Does UFC 318 Start Tonight: UFC 318 Start Time, Preview, Main Card, Prelims and Early Prelims, TV Channel and Live Streaming

Full UFC 318 fight card breakdown with start times, where to watch, and what to expect from Holloway vs. Poirier 3.

Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 318 takes over New Orleans tonight with a stacked card headlined by the trilogy clash between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. With Poirier’s retirement on the line and several pivotal matchups across divisions, fans won’t want to miss a second. Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 318’s start time, full fight card, TV channel, live streaming details, and what to expect from the event.

UFC 318 Full Card ⚔️🔥 #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/FkIl4NeY8n
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) July 14, 2025

UFC 318 Preview

UFC 318 is headlined by the long-awaited trilogy between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. This event in New Orleans could mark the final chapter in one storied career while reigniting another. Poirier has already announced this will be his last walk to the Octagon. For Holloway, it’s a chance to settle a 0-2 score.

Two Legends. One Final Chapter for the BMF Crown. 🏆💥

Next PPV… #UFC318 The Trilogy. pic.twitter.com/zdXdjM8f7j
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) July 1, 2025

Poirier’s grit and boxing fundamentals have defined him for over a decade. He outlasted Holloway in their two previous wars, including a brutal interim title bout in 2019. But the Hawaiian has since added depth to his game and the BMF title win over Justin Gaethje in 2024 proves he’s still evolving. If he can finally get past “The Diamond,” it may launch a fresh run toward lightweight gold.

The co-main event sees Paulo Costa clash with late-replacement Roman Kopylov in a high-stakes middleweight bout. Costa, a physical powerhouse, looks to rebound from a string of missed opportunities, while Kopylov steps in on short notice with a real chance to catapult himself into the top 10.

Paulo Costa has Khamzat Chimaev in his sights 👀#UFC318 pic.twitter.com/mZqvn2fqwc
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 17, 2025

Also on the main card, Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez meet in a clash of chaotic pace vs. counter striking. Meanwhile, Dan Ige welcomes Bellator legend Patrício “Pitbull” Freire to the UFC, a crossover bout that could reshape the featherweight picture. And veteran Michael Johnson squares off with the surging Daniel Zellhuber in a classic “prospect vs. gatekeeper” test.

Here Is the UFC 318 Main Card:

Fight	Weight Class
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier	Lightweight
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov	Middleweight
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez	Welterweight
Dan Ige vs. Patrício Pitbull	Featherweight
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber	Lightweight

Here Is the Preliminary Card of UFC 318:

Fight	Weight Class
Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira	Bantamweight
Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen	Middleweight
Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov	Welterweight
Ateba Abega Gautier vs. Robert Valentin	Middleweight

Here Is the Early Preliminary Card of UFC 318:

Fight	Weight Class
Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov	Welterweight
Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio	Light Heavyweight
Ryan Spann vs. Łukasz Brzeski	Heavyweight
Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey	Middleweight
Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari	Women’s Flyweight

UFC 318 Start Time

Early Prelims – 6:00 PM ET
Prelims – 8:00 PM ET
Main Card – 10:00 PM ET

One last time! #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/DIBPtrcE2x
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) July 17, 2025

Where To Watch UFC 318 Tonight?

UFC 318 will be available to stream across multiple platforms, making it easy for fans to catch every moment of the action.

The main card will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View, ensuring full coverage of this high-stakes event from start to finish.

The early prelims will be shown on ESPN+, ESPN2, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass, while the prelims air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Disney+, and ESPN+.

UFC 318 Predictions

The UFC 318 predictions for the main card are as follows:

Poirier vs. Holloway

Poirier is widely expected to win by decision in his farewell battle. While Holloway remains a formidable foe, Poirier’s tactical edge and hometown momentum give him the edge in what looks to be a close, competitive showdown, according to MMAmania.

Costa vs. Kopylov

Kopylov enters as the favorite, riding a wave of knockouts and momentum. MMAmania leans toward a Kopylov victory, most likely by decision, as he avoids Costa’s pressure and punishes from range.

Holland vs. Rodriguez

Holland is favored based on his active schedule and sharp striking this year. MMAmania and ESPN highlight Holland’s versatility and recent form as reasons he’s expected to outpoint Rodriguez.

Kevin Holland is back for his fourth fight of 2025… and it’s only July! 😳🔥#UFC318

pic.twitter.com/lN4HeRaBI0
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) July 17, 2025

Ige vs. Pitbull

A high-output featherweight fight is expected, with MMAmania giving a slight edge to the veteran Pitbull due to his cardio and seasoned experience.

Johnson vs. Zellhuber

This bout is predicted to go the distance, with the younger Zellhuber favored to secure a decision victory over the veteran Johnson, as per MMAmania.

Mandatory Image Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Poirier

Max Holloway

UFC 318

Rudra Dubey

nfl

mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.