BREAKING: UFC 318 concluded with a historic moment as Max Holloway successfully defended the BMF title for the first time in New Orleans. The victory came as Dustin Poirier, who entered the Octagon with rapper Lil Wayne, announced his retirement, leaving his gloves on the canvas, marking the end of an illustrious career.
This pivotal event raises questions about the future of the BMF title, which Holloway aims to hold onto amidst a competitive lightweight landscape. The stakes are high as the UFC community anticipates who will challenge Holloway next, especially after his impressive performance against Poirier.
Holloway is keen to establish himself in the lightweight division following his move, but a title shot against reigning champion Ilia Topuria is not in sight just yet. Instead, the buzz is building around a potential matchup against Charles Oliveira, who is currently reeling from a loss to Topuria at UFC 317. Their history dates back to 2015, when Holloway defeated Oliveira via TKO after an injury to Oliveira. The MMA world is speculating this could be the ideal rematch for Holloway.
The wild card in this scenario is Dan Hooker, who also stands as a strong contender for a BMF title fight. While Oliveira seems the logical choice, Hooker’s striking style could create an electrifying matchup, adding excitement to Holloway’s lightweight journey.
Meanwhile, Paulo Costa made headlines by returning to form with a victory over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. Many are now calling for a matchup against Brendan Allen, who recently secured a win over Marvin Vettori. Both fighters bring a swagger that could light up the middleweight division, making this an intriguing prospect.
In a twist, if Khamzat Chimaev loses to Dricus du Plessis on August 16, 2023, he could also be in the mix for a matchup with Costa. The anticipation surrounding this potential fight is palpable, especially after their previous near-encounters.
In the featherweight division, Patricio Pitbull is looking to capitalize on his recent victory to face Aaron Pico, a rising star in the UFC. Pitbull expressed interest in this matchup, and with the featherweight landscape shifting, this fight could prove pivotal for both fighters.
The urgency surrounding these developments is palpable as fans and analysts alike are eager to see how these matchups unfold. With the future of Holloway, Costa, and Pitbull hanging in the balance, UFC 318 has set the stage for explosive fights ahead.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned as the UFC gears up for more thrilling announcements and matchups in the coming weeks. The excitement is just beginning as these fighters look to solidify their legacies in the octagon.
