-
Advertisement
Ultimate Fighting Championship
SportMixed Martial Arts

UFC 236: Dustin Poirier beats Max Holloway in explosive judges’ decision in Atlanta main event

  • Poirier beat Holloway by submission in their previous outing
  • The two fought at the top of the bill of UFC 236

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Dustin Poirier celebrates after receiving the title belt from UFC president Dana White. Photo: AFP
Paul Ryding
Dustin Poirier scored a unanimous judges’ decision victory to claim the UFC lightweight title against Max Holloway in an incredible main event bout at UFC 236 in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday night.

Poirier (25-5, 1 no contest) got the nod after he gave an exhibition of striking throughout, and Holloway (20-4) was far more cut-up than his opponent at the conclusion at State Farm Arena.

All three judges scored the bout 49-46 for Poirier.

Advertisement

“This feels like I’m in a dream right now,” Poirier said. “I feel like I beat the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. To be best, you gotta beat the best. I earned this. This is my belt. Blood. Paid in full.”

Dustin Poirier was crowned the lightweight champion after beating Max Holloway. Photo: AFP
Dustin Poirier was crowned the lightweight champion after beating Max Holloway. Photo: AFP
Advertisement

The fight opened with fireworks as the two exchanged fierce head shots toe-to-toe in the opening stanza, and featherweight champion Holloway seemed to struggle with the 30-year-old’s power. That set the tone for a slugfest on an incredible night of action in Atlanta.

Holloway, making his debut at 155 pounds, began to get to grips with the heavy hands of the Louisiana man as the fight wore on, but offered no excuses after the fight.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x