Poirier’s ‘last dance’: here’s what will happen to the BMF belt if he retires as champion

Dustin Poirier has decided to call it a day. The longtime fan favorite and one of the UFC’s most respected fighters is finally stepping away from the Octagon — a move he’s hinted at for some time. “The Diamond,” who once held the interim lightweight title but never captured the undisputed crown, will take on Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans, with the BMF belt — short for “Baddest Motherf***er” — on the line.

“Who will be the baddest of them all?” the UFC asked alongside the event poster for what is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year. Poirier has always had the love of the fans. Despite falling short in three title fights, he’s worn the interim strap and left everything in the cage every time out. He’s never needed a belt to be admired — he’s earned that with heart, grit, and wars that defined an era.

Retirement had been on his mind even before his most recent outing, but that fight solidified it. Back in June, he faced Islam Makhachev in what was his third — and final — shot at the undisputed lightweight title. Poirier brought the fight, as always, turning it into a bloody war, but ultimately fell by submission in the final round. That loss made him reassess everything. And now, he’s ready to say goodbye.

Poirier has stood toe-to-toe with the best the lightweight division — arguably the toughest in the UFC — has had to offer. Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler... names that even casual fans recognize. His legendary trilogy with Conor McGregor remains the most iconic chapter of his career — and one of the most celebrated rivalries in MMA history.

For a send-off of this magnitude, it’s hard to imagine a better opponent — or a better title — than Max Holloway and the BMF belt. The title is symbolic, reserved for legends and warriors who’ve earned their respect inside the cage. Holloway, like Poirier, is beloved by fans everywhere. He’s coming off a tough loss in a featherweight title bid against Ilia Topuria — who became the first man ever to knock him out. This fight marks a high-stakes return for both men.

This won’t be their first time sharing the Octagon. It’ll be the third — a fitting trilogy to close the chapter. Their first meeting came in 2012, when Poirier submitted Holloway in the first round, just three minutes into the fight. They didn’t meet again until seven years later, in 2019, when Poirier once again came out on top, winning a unanimous decision and claiming the interim lightweight title. This third bout may not have title implications beyond the BMF, but it carries something even more meaningful: legacy, respect, and a final resolution to one of the UFC’s most memorable rivalries.

What happens to the BMF belt if Poirier wins?

As stated, Holloway currently holds the BMF title, which means the belt is up for grabs once again at UFC 318. However, if Poirier wins, it could mark the final appearance of the BMF strap, it retiring along with The Diamond. Maybe a fitting end.

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