Setting the stage for one of the most iconic career send-offs in recent memory, UFC 318 brings to bear a star-studded main event between two legends from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Taking top billing at UFC 318, hometown hero Dustin Dustin Poirier battles former featherweight king turned BMF champion Max Holloway in a prolific trilogy contest. In the second to last fight of the evening, middleweight wrecking ball Paulo Costa makes his first appearance of 2025 opposite sensational knockout artist Roman Kopylov.
UFC 318 Main Event
After making his promotional debut back in 2011, Poirier has gone on to record a stellar career as a long-time staple of the UFC lightweight divisions’ upper echelon, scoring wins over Justin Gaethje, Holloway, Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor. Following his latest defeat to previous 155-lb apex Islam Makhachev, “The Diamond” announced that his UFC 318 appearance will be his last, as he looks to retire on top with the BMF belt wrapped around his waist at the end of UFC 318.
In the wake of his failed title challenge against then 145-lb gold standard Ilia Topuria, Holloway opted to leave his native weight category in pursuit of new rewards at lightweight. Making the first defense of his BMF strap since ripping it violently from Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, “Blessed” aims to spoil the last Octagon outing of Poirier in what will go down as their climatic trilogy contest.
UFC 318 Co-Main Event
Having not fought since June 2024 at UFC 302, Costa finds himself in the middle of an unfortunate two-bout skid heading into UFC 318, taking losses to former 185-lb champions Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland. On a mission to reinvent himself as one of the divisions’ most feared strikers, “The Eraser” can kickstart another impeccable championship run by dismantling the young but impressive Kopylov.
Winning his last pair of fights in a row over César Almeida and Chris Curtis, Kopylov has cemented himself firmly in the middleweight top 15 as a part of the new wave of talented new bloods taking over the division. Seemingly on a renewed warpath towards the top, the Russian kickboxing sensation has the chance to shine as he walks into the toughest test of his mixed martial arts journey during the UFC 318 co-main event.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Rounding out the main card of UFC 318, fan-favorite name Kevin Holland makes his fourth UFC appearance this year as he locks horns with the always-game Daniel Rodriguez. Also, featherweight bruiser Dan Ige faces off with former Bellator icon Patrício Pitbull. Finally, lightweight hard-puncher Michael Johnson attempts to stem the rise of the up-and-coming Daniel Zellhuber.
UFC 318 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 318 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL Cape Town:
- Hank Strandberg: 112-70
- Drew Zuhosky: 93-89
- Jeremy Brand: 88-71
- Frazer Krohn: 84-67
- Andrew Benjamin: 15-82
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Daniel Zellhuber -650
Vs.
Michael Johnson +475
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Zellhuber by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Johnson by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Zellhuber by third round Submission
Andrew Benjamin: Johnson by second round Knockout
Staff picking Zellhuber: 2
Staff picking Johnson: 2
Dan Ige -220
Vs.
Patrício Pitbull +185
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Ige by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Pitbull by second round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Pitbull by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Ige by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Ige: 2
Staff picking Pitbull: 2
Kevin Holland -600
Vs.
Daniel Rodriguez +425
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Holland by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Rodriguez by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Holland by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Holland by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Holland: 3
Staff picking Rodriguez: 1
Roman Kopylov -230
Vs.
Paulo Costa +195
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Costa by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Costa by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Kopylov by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Kopylov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Kopylov: 2
Staff picking Costa: 2
Max Holloway -135
Vs.
Dustin Poirier +115
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Holloway by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Holloway by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Poirier by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Holloway by Split Decision
Staff picking Holloway: 3
Staff picking Poirier: 1
