Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) returns to the cage in a retirement bout this Saturday in the main event of UFC 318 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+ ), which takes place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. He takes on former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in a trilogy bout.

It isn't just any fight, either. It's the final fight of a legendary MMA career for Poirier and a UFC run that spans a decade-plus with an extensive resume of legendary names few can duplicate, including this weekend's trilogy with Max Holloway that headlines UFC 318 in Poirier's home state of Louisiana

Dustin Poirier admits the reality of his retirement probably won’t hit him until after his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 318 is finished, but it’s almost impossible for him to avoid that subject.

NEW ORLEANS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday's UFC 318 fighter weigh-ins. The early weigh-ins take place at the UFC host hotel in New Orleans and precede the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans, which take place at 6 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center. The same venue hosts Saturday's event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

Dustin Poirier will receive a hero's welcome in his native Louisiana at UFC 318 when he battles Max Holloway for a third time in their careers. It's a respect Poirier earned from his peers and the promotion that they would take a PPV event to New Orleans for the first time in 25 years as a proper send off to one of the good guys in the sport's history.