Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling believes Max Holloway intentionally refused to finish Dustin Poirier early at UFC 318.
BMF titleholder Max Holloway retained his championship belt and spoiled Dustin Poirier‘s retirement fight on Saturday at UFC 318. Holloway and Poirier delivered on lofty expectations entering their trilogy bout, as the two lightweight stars treated fans to a five-round slugfest in New Orleans.
Despite suffering a loss in his final UFC fight, Poirier walks away from fighting as a legend, and added one more signature performance to his stellar resume. But early on in the fight, it looked like Poirier’s last hurrah would be cut short as Holloway earned a big knockdown in the opening minutes.
Aljamain Sterling questions Max Holloway’s inability to finish Dustin Poirier at UFC 318
Just under two minutes into Round 1, Holloway dropped Poirier twice in a wild sequence and appeared on the cusp of finishing his three-time rival. But despite Holloway’s pressure and brutal ground-and-pound offense, Poirier was able to survive the early barrage and go the full five-round distance.
Holloway’s Round 1 highlights led him to earn a unanimous decision victory over Poirier and spoil the latter’s retirement bout. But according to a former UFC champion, Holloway purposely refused to finish Poirier in Round 1 despite having him on the edge of a stoppage.
In a recent post on X, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling expressed his position that Holloway let Poirier off the hook at UFC 318.
“I thought I was the only one that felt that way about this sequence,” Sterling began.
“Only Max can say but it looked like he could’ve stepped on the gas a bit more if he wanted to during the gaps where he just seems to slow down on throwing strikes.”
Holloway repeatedly echoed his intentions to play the ‘spoiler’ role at UFC 318 as he looked to bounce back from a brutal KO loss to Ilia Topuria in his last fight. Holloway and Poirier have shared a lot of respect for one another during their careers, fueling Sterling’s assertion.
In addition to Sterling’s claims, Poirier says Holloway told him he ‘was out’ after getting stunned in Round 2. Poirier nearly secured a guillotine choke submission after dropping the BMF champion with a massive punch.
Yall aren’t gonna wanna hear this right now and I totally understand…but Max pulled back here pic.twitter.com/PXLOS89OGB
— MMA² (@mma_squared) July 20, 2025
Dustin Poirier shared a heartwarming moment with Max Holloway’s son backstage at UFC 318
After their five-round war at UFC 318, Holloway, Poirier, and their respective teams shared some heartwarming moments backstage. Poirier had a viral moment with Holloway’s son, Rush, as the latter congratulated Poirier on his retirement.
Poirier and Rush’s interaction came six years after Poirier comforted Rush backstage following Holloway’s rematch loss at UFC 236. Rush was visibly emotional after Holloway’s long winning streak came to an end, and Poirier showed class in assuring him that his father was okay and healthy.
After retiring at UFC 318, Poirier’s next UFC stop will likely be in the promotion’s Hall of Fame wing. As for Holloway, he’s nearing a potential lightweight title shot and a chance at revenge against Topuria.
