Dustin Poirier closed out UFC 318 in style and wrapped up his career his way.
He didn’t have his hand raised in his final fight, but Poirier still felt the love from a packed Smoothie King Center in New Orleans following another thrilling five-round fight with career rival Max Holloway. For the first time in their three-fight series, Holloway was victorious, and there was plenty of cheers for both fighters during and after Saturday’s main event.
The majority of the reactions on social media were to Poirier’s retirement, though, with a number of stars and standouts paying their respects to “The Diamond.” Poirier made the walk to the octagon 32 times since joining the UFC roster in 2011 and he put together a highlight reel for the ages that included 10 Fight of the Night awards (with another possibly on the way), an interim lightweight title win, and victories over some of his most decorated contemporaries.
Poirier received farewell messages from the likes of Islam Makhachev, Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, Belal Muhammad, and Jorge Masvidal, but his legacy was perhaps best summed up by UFC welterweight Themba Gorimbo, who wrote on Twitter, “Diamonds are forever.”
Check out more social media reactions to Poirier’s final fight below.
Legend
Diamonds are forever.
❤️ #champion pic.twitter.com/pgaGjXiRKa— Themba Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) July 20, 2025
Congratulations on an amazing career Dustin, thank you for the years of entertainment. Now go enjoy your retirement.
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) July 20, 2025
Paid in full Dustin is a legend amazing career
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 20, 2025
What a fight I hate to see you go Dustin
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 20, 2025
Congratulations, Dustin. You’re truly one of the greatest to ever step into the cage. It was an honor and a privilege to share it with you pic.twitter.com/RQj3fa0yTq
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 20, 2025
Congrats on an awesome career Dustin! It’s been great sharing this journey with you. Thanks for all the good times and everything you brought to the team. Enjoy retirement you’ve more than earned it @DustinPoirier #att
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) July 20, 2025
We love a good scrapper in the company and them two boys are just that! Scrappers!
Awesome stuff! Great fight lads, bravo!
R.I.Pea head! @ufc
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 20, 2025
#AndStill #UFC318 pic.twitter.com/5KBM2smR5u
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 20, 2025
Man, Dustin Poirier is ALL CLASS! Love that dude! #UFC318
— Dustin Jacoby (@thehanyakdj) July 20, 2025
What. A. Fight!!!
Max Holloway is a fucking problem at 155 and mannn.. what a career from Dustin Poirier – in tears during that walk out #UFC318
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) July 20, 2025
Wow
Absolute legends both of them— Fremd (@joshfremd) July 20, 2025
Max Holloway stole Poirier’s retirement fight. Ilia rematch next? Or Dan Hooker for the BMF? #UFC318
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 20, 2025
Who cares who won that, really.
— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) July 20, 2025
Dope way to finish a fight and a career for Poirier , Holloway will continue on ! Bravo fellas #UFC318
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 20, 2025
What a great fight!! Happy retirement @DustinPoirier #UFC318
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 20, 2025
I’m not crying, you are #ufc
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) July 20, 2025
X #UFC318
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) July 20, 2025
First ballot Hall of fame!!! @DustinPoirier
It was an honor to share the octagon with you pic.twitter.com/iKtrJyXGDe
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) July 20, 2025
Thank you @dustinpoirier
MMA Rollercoaster with you has been a dun ride.Thank You pic.twitter.com/rDkpIp3EXv
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) July 20, 2025
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