UFC 318 Fight Card: Holloway vs. Poirier 3, UK Start Time

Few trilogies in MMA carry the weight of Holloway vs. Poirier, and when the two legends stepped into the Octagon at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, it wasn’t just another fight — it was a farewell. This guide covers everything you need to know about the UFC 318 fight card, from the full lineup and UK start times to how to watch the live stream and what the results mean for the future of the lightweight division.

Event: UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 ·
Date: July 19, 2025 ·
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana ·
Main Event: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 (Lightweight) ·
Total Fights: 14

Six key details from the official event page and broadcasters, one pattern: the event was built around a historic trilogy and a clear viewing plan for both sides of the Atlantic.

Who is fighting on the UFC 318 card?

UFC 318 Main Event: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3

The headline bout was a lightweight trilogy between former featherweight champion Max Holloway and former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. Both fighters entered with a win apiece — Holloway took the first fight in 2019, Poirier the second in 2021. The rubber match, as confirmed by the UFC official event page, was scheduled for five rounds. Holloway won by unanimous decision after a back-and-forth battle, ending the trilogy on his terms.

UFC 318 Co-Main Event and Featured Bouts

Four other fights made up the main card. The UFC’s roster listed Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov, Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber — all three-round affairs. The UFC recorded each as a unanimous-decision win for the first-named fighter.

Full UFC 318 Fight Card Breakdown

14 fights in total, with the early prelims and prelims stacked with talent. The Yahoo Sports full card listing detailed the complete lineup. Below is a spec table of all main card bouts with results.

Five main card bouts, one pattern: every fight went the distance, with the judges’ scorecards decisive.

The implication: the main card was a showcase of elite cardio and durability — no early finishes, but every fight offered tactical depth.

What time does the UFC 318 main card start?

UFC 318 Start Time in the UK (GMT)

UK viewers had to stay up late. The main card began at 3:00 AM BST on Sunday, July 20. The ESPN broadcast schedule confirmed the prelims started at 1:00 AM BST, and early prelims at 11:00 PM BST on Saturday, July 19. For UK fans, the entire event ran from late Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

UFC 318 Start Time in the US (ET/PT)

In the US, the main card aired at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT, according to the ESPN fight center. Prelims started at 8:00 PM ET, and early prelims at 6:00 PM ET. The Brazilian outlet UOL reported a similar schedule for Brasília time (23:00 main card).

UFC 318 Full Event Schedule

• Early Prelims: 6:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM BST
• Prelims: 8:00 PM ET / 1:00 AM BST
• Main Card: 10:00 PM ET / 3:00 AM BST
• Main Event Walkouts: approx. 12:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM BST (July 20)

The pattern: the event was a marathon for UK viewers, with the main event landing around 5 AM Sunday.

How to watch UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 live stream, fight card

How to watch UFC 318 in the UK

UK viewers needed a subscription to TNT Sports, which carried the event live. The UFC event page listed TNT Sports as the official broadcaster. The match was also available via the discovery+ streaming service. Unlike the US, no additional pay-per-view fee was required — the event was included in the standard TNT Sports package.

How to watch UFC 318 in the US

In the US, the event was exclusive to ESPN+ pay-per-view. USA Today confirmed the PPV model. The main card and prelims required a subscription, with the early prelims on ESPN+ as well.

UFC 318 live stream options

Both TNT Sports (UK) and ESPN+ (US) offered streaming on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and web browsers. No cable login was strictly necessary for either service — a standalone subscription sufficed.

Why this matters: the cost difference between regions is significant, and UK viewers saved almost $80 by not needing a separate PPV.

Steps to watch UFC 318

1. Identify your region – UK or US.
2. Subscribe to the required service: TNT Sports (UK) or ESPN+ (US).
3. For US viewers, purchase the $79.99 PPV (or $134.98 bundle for new subscribers).
4. Tune in at the start time listed above.

How much does the UFC 318 cost?

UFC 318 PPV price in the US

For current ESPN+ subscribers, the PPV was $79.99. USA Today reported that a bundle for new subscribers — including one year of ESPN+ and the PPV — cost $134.98. That’s a $55 saving compared to buying separately.

UFC 318 cost in the UK

In the UK, the event was included with a TNT Sports subscription, which costs £30.99 per month. No additional PPV fee applied. The UFC listed TNT Sports as the primary broadcaster. For a one-off event, UK fans effectively paid only their monthly subscription.

Are there any additional fees?

No hidden costs. Both services listed the full price upfront. The US bundle option was the only tiered pricing. The trade-off: US fans who already had ESPN+ paid $79.99; UK fans paid £30.99 (about $40) for the entire month’s sports content.

UFC 318 fight card results

UFC 318 Main Card Results

All five main card fights went the distance. The UFC recorded every bout as a unanimous decision. Holloway’s victory over Poirier was the most significant, ending the trilogy and triggering Poirier’s retirement announcement in the octagon.

UFC 318 Prelim Results

The preliminary card results were also listed on the UFC event page. Notable wins included Kyler Phillips over Vinicius Oliveira, Marvin Vettori over Brendan Allen, and Jimmy Crute over Marcin Prachnio. Full results are available on the UFC website.

Performance of the Night Bonuses

The UFC awarded performance bonuses after the event, though the official recipients were not yet published at the time of writing. Based on the quality of the main card, multiple fighters were likely recognized.

The pattern: a night of decision-heavy fights, but the drama came from the narrative — Poirier’s farewell and Holloway’s claim to lightweight contention.

The trilogy is over, but the lightweight division rolls on. For UK fans who stayed up until 5 AM, the reward was a classic fight and a historic farewell. For Dustin Poirier, the decision is clear: walk away on his own terms, with a legacy that includes two BMF titles and a place in the Hall of Fame. For Max Holloway, the next step is a title shot — and the question is whether he can finally capture undisputed lightweight gold.