The official fight card for UFC 318 is now complete, promising a packed night of mixed martial arts action. Set to take place in New Orleans on Saturday, June 19, the event features a substantial lineup, recently confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White.
The Main Event: A Farewell Trilogy?
Headlining this card is a highly anticipated third meeting between lightweights Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway. This bout carries significant weight, particularly as it`s being framed as potentially Dustin Poirier`s final professional fight. The two veterans have a history, with Poirier holding two prior victories over Holloway. A third encounter provides a high-stakes narrative arc, allowing Holloway an opportunity for redemption against an opponent who has previously bested him, while Poirier aims to close his career on a high note by completing the trilogy sweep.
Co-Main and Main Card Highlights
In the co-main event slot, former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa makes his return to the Octagon. He is scheduled to face Roman Kopylov, who has earned a reputation for his heavy-handed striking. This middleweight clash offers a stylistic contrast between Costa`s aggressive pressure and Kopylov`s finishing ability.
Adding further depth to the main portion of the show are several compelling matchups. Welterweight Kevin Holland, notably active *already* in 2025, is slated to compete against Daniel Rodriguez, presenting an interesting clash of styles in the 170-pound division. Featherweight Dan Ige, coming off a recent win, takes on former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull. Pitbull`s second UFC appearance follows a decision loss in his debut, and a clash with a proven finisher like Ige presents another significant test for the multi-divisional champion. Rounding out the main card is a lightweight clash between Michael Johnson and Daniel Zellhuber, a pairing that statistically suggests a high probability of ending inside the distance, often a crowd-pleaser.
Main Card Lineup:
- Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway (Lightweight)
- Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov (Middleweight)
- Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez (Welterweight)
- Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull (Featherweight)
- Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber (Lightweight)
Preliminary Bouts: Filling Out the Card
Preceding the main card is a lengthy list of preliminary fights, bringing the total number of bouts for the event to fourteen. These matchups provide opportunities for rising contenders and established veterans alike to make their mark before the main attractions commence.
Preliminary Fights Include:
- Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira (Bantamweight)
- Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
- Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (Welterweight)
- Ateba Gautier vs. Robert Valentin (Middleweight)
- Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov (Welterweight)
- Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio (Light Heavyweight)
- Ryan Spann vs. Lukasz Brzeski (Light Heavyweight)
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey (Middleweight)
- Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari (Women`s Strawweight)
With a total of fourteen bouts scheduled, UFC 318 is shaping up to be a comprehensive event for fight fans. The finalization of the card, particularly the high-profile main event framing a potential career conclusion, sets the stage for an anticipated night of competition in New Orleans.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham