UFC 318 is headlined by the final fight of the Holloway vs. Poirier trilogy on Saturday, July 19, live from New Orleans. UFC legends and potential contenders fill the UFC 318 card, including the third Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier head-to-head in Poirier’s final fight.
Despite not featuring a true title bout, every UFC 318 fight carries massive importance and plenty of fanfare.
Below, we’ll give you UFC 318 predictions for Holloway vs. Poirier and every main card fight, including PrizePicks UFC picks and predictions for Saturday’s fights.
UFC 318 could deliver in a way that previous PPVs could not. While not all fights impact their divisions, almost every fight will showcase a UFC fan favorite in an exciting stylistic matchup.
The most notable example is the main event of the evening in the Lightweight division: UFC Legend and former champion Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier, in what’s expected to be the final fight of his legendary career.
Co-headlining UFC 318 is a Middleweight bout between former title challenger Paulo Costa against Roman Kopylov, a dangerous knockout artist who will be looking to make a statement.
The UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier main card is set to start at 10 p.m. ET, with Holloway vs. Poirier expected to start around 12 a.m. ET, depending on when the other fights end.
We'll break down every main card fight for UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier, including fight picks and PrizePicks UFC predictions. PrizePicks is offering a free pick on Poirier’s Significant Strikes for UFC 318 — one Poirier punch = one win.
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PrizePicks is the easiest way to make your UFC 318 predictions to win cash on Holloway vs. Poirier; just pick More or Less on fighter projections — like significant strikes or fight time.
UFC 318 Predictions & Start Times: Holloway vs. Poirier 3
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 main card will start at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 19, while the Holloway vs. Poirier main event is expected to start at 12 a.m. ET — subject to change based on other fights before it.
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 fighter projections below are via the PrizePicks MMA board.
Here’s the UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier main card schedule, in reverse order.
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier – Main Event
- Lightweight
- Expected start time: 12 a.m. ET
- Holloway Projections: 139.5 Significant Strikes, 76.55 Fantasy Score, 28.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Poirier Projections: 119.5 Significant Strikes (Free Pick Discounted to 0.5 on PrizePicks), 25.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 259.5 Significant Strikes
- Fight Time Projection: 24.99 Minutes
- Holloway vs. Poirier Prediction
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov - Co-Main Event
- Middleweight
- Expected start time: 11:30 p.m. ET
- Costa Projections: 64.5 Significant Strikes, 19.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Kopylov Projections: 74.5 Significant Strikes, 60.5 Fantasy Score, 22.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 137.5
- Costa vs. Kopylov Prediction
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
- Welterweight
- Expected start time: 11 p.m. ET
- Holland Projections: 45.5 Significant Strikes, 22.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Rodriguez Projections: 38.5 Significant Strikes, 19.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 86.5
- Fight Time Projection: 10 Minutes
- Holland vs. Rodriguez Prediction
Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull
- Featherweight
- Expected start time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Ige Projections: 52.5 Significant Strikes, 47.55 Fantasy Score, 17.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Pitbull Projections: 41.5 Significant Strikes, 13.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 93.5
- Ige vs. Pitbull Prediction
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber
- Lightweight
- Expected start time: 10 p.m. ET
- Johnson Projections: 45.5 Significant Strikes
- Zellhuber Projections: 62.5 Significant Strikes, 63.55 Fantasy Score
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 107.5
- Fight Time Projection: 12.25 Minutes
- Johnson vs. Zellhuber Prediction
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier Prediction & Preview
Max Holloway is currently the BMF champion, and while it may not be a “real” belt, it sure means something to the fighters that have challenged for it.
Holloway, while off of a loss, maintains that he is still the BMF champion and will look to reignite the spark of his Justin Gaethje win that earned him the belt originally. Holloway never delivers a boring fight, and in this clash of high-level striking, Holloway is bound to perform.
UFC legend Dustin Poirier has publicly stated this will be his final fight in the UFC, but despite his loss to Islam last year, the Diamond has looked as sharp as ever.
In a card designed to wish Poirier a proper farewell for his over 15 years of service, Poirier is as poised as ever to go out with a bang against another UFC legend.
On their individual climbs to Hall of Fame status, Holloway and Poirier have matched up twice before. In their previous matchups, Poirier is 2-0.
However, the younger Holloway believes it is his time to win and play spoiler to Poirier’s farewell. If there is one thing we know about these fighters, it is that they will both show up to scrap for this five-round bout — the only one on the card.
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier: 259.5 Significant Strikes (Combo)
- Max Holloway has 3,706 Strikes Landed, which is the UFC record.
- Dustin Poirier lands 5.3 Significant Strikes per minute.
- 359 Significant Strikes were landed in their second bout.
- Holloway’s average Fight Time is 16:05.
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov Prediction & Preview
The UFC believes in the implications of this Costa vs Kopylov matchup, as they have stuck with it through various scheduling complications. However, it looks like their patience may finally be rewarded.
Costa plans on returning to his infamous “walk them down” style that garnered much popularity after his matchup with Yoel Romero — a confidence we haven’ t seen since his Title challenge loss to Israel Adesanya.
If Costa can return to his old style and power, there is no telling what the future may hold. However, if there is a contender who can shut down a return-to-vintage Costa, it is Roman Kopylov.
Kopylov, in his most recent statement win against Chris Curtis, showcased a poise and willingness to counter that even the most elite fighters in the division would respect. The lengthy Russian may choose to stay at range, and if Costa thinks he can walk through the contender on power alone, he may be mistaken.
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov: Kopylov 22.5 Rd 1 Significant Strikes
- Costa has 49% Significant Strike Defense.
- Costa absorbs 6.56 Significant Strikes per minute.
- Kopylov lands 4.96 Significant Strikes per minute.
- Kopylov landed 48 Significant Strikes in Round 1 against Chris Curtis.
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez Prediction & Preview
UFC fan favorite Kevin Holland is back in the Octagon for a fourth time in 2025 after a win over Vicente Luque on June 7 at UFC 316. The finally-ranked Welterweight will be willing to fight to defend his spot.
Holland has strung together two victories, and with rapid pace, is moving toward the top of the division. With a key victory over Daniel Rodriguez, Holland would move one step closer to a rematch with the champion, where he lost via split decision less than two years ago.
As always, Holland is there to fight but also entertain the fans with his wild and risky style.
Rodriguez has had a career defined by streaks. When Rodriguez lost three in a row between 2022-2024, it appeared his time fighting for a rank was over.
Recently, a return to form has given Rodriguez two key wins and a matchup with Holland to put his name in the conversation. The freestyle fighter will need a win here to remain relevant in the UFC Welterweight conversation.
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez: Fight Time 10 Minutes
- Kevin Holland has 13 Round 1 finishes.
- Kevin Holland’s average Fight Time is 10:19
- Both fighters' previous fights ended in a finish.
- Rodriguez lands 7.39 Significant Strikes per minute.
Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull Prediction & Preview
Dan Ige will step up to any fight — as he proved when he took Diego Lopes on short notice in 2024. So, as many fighters are still hesitant to match up with Pitbull, there is no better option to call than Dan Ige.
Despite his incredible willingness to fight, Ige has struggled with inconsistency as of late. Ige will get the opportunity to break his win-then-lose pattern that has plagued him his last six fights, and showcase the superiority of the UFC.
Widely considered the Bellator GOAT, Pitbull has yet to find his place in the UFC. With lots of hype from his Bellator status, his first bout in the UFC fell flat compared to expectations.
Pitbull will need to showcase his potentially superior skillset against the younger Ige, as a win here is crucial to elevating Pitbull’s UFC career, along with Bellator’s legacy as a fighting league.
Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull: Ige 52.5 Significant Strikes
- Ige has 58% Takedown Defense.
- Ige has 26% Takedown Accuracy.
- Pitbull absorbs 4.48 Significant Strikes per minute.
- Pitbull has 89% Takedown Defense.
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber Prediction & Preview
Michael Johnson can be the best fighter in the Octagon any given night; however, he can also be the worst. Johnson is a fighter who has been difficult to place throughout his entire career. With wins over Poirier, Ferguson, and Barboza — Johnson sounds like he should be among the greats.
However, inconsistency has plagued Johnson, and his current two-fight win streak may be his final rally to close out his career. While Johnson should never be counted out, the age and ability difference could play a factor vs. Daniel Zellhuber.
On the other side of the Octagon, Zellhuber lost his last bout via split decision. While the 15-2 prospect still shows promise, Zellhuber needs a victory in order to remain positive in the UFC.
Zellhuber has the potential to be a contender at the 155 division, with elite statistics that back up his case, and with the younger prospect stealing a win against Johnson to kick off the main card, he could be on his way to a rank.
Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber: 107.5 Significant Strikes (Combo)
- Zellhuber has 94% Takedown Defense.
- Zellhuber has had at least 120 Significant Strikes in his last two bouts.
- Johnson lands 4.23 Significant Strikes per minute.
Make Your Holloway vs. Poirier Predictions on PrizePicks
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier is set to be a card of UFC icons and long-awaited matchups, full of exciting action. The main card will start around 10 p.m. ET.
Before it does, be sure you’ve locked in your UFC Lineups on PrizePicks — it’s the easiest way to get real money action on UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier. PrizePicks is offering a free pick on Poirier’s Significant Strikes for UFC 318 — one Poirier punch = one win — making it even easier to win cash on your predictions tonight.
In what appears to be a farewell card for UFC legend Dustin Poirier, the UFC matchmakers made sure to deliver top to bottom for The Diamond’s final fight card, with incredible matchups throughout, live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Head to the PrizePicks app, pick More or Less on two or more fighters, lock in your picks, and get ready for the sweat during UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier.
