UFC legend and Stake Ambassador, Max Holloway, isn’t just chasing a win ahead of UFC 318, he’s chasing the kind of redemption that a true fighter will always take, given the chance. As the highly anticipated UFC 318 trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier approaches, the former featherweight king and current BMF titleholder is eyeing much more than sporting success over an old rival. In the exclusive interview Holloway gave to Stake, the fighter made his position abundantly clear: “I’m not just fighting Poirier,” he said, “I’m fighting history.”
From unfinished business with another UFC all-time great to Holloway’s undoubted championship aspirations, this bout is likely to define the next chapter in the fighter’s already legendary career. And that’s what makes it so compelling, of course, not only for avid followers of UFC bouts but for those who simply like a sporting spectacle when everything is laid on the line. In this regard, Holloway’s take on the fight leaves nothing to the imagination. He’s very honest – brutal, you might even say – about what he expects of himself in this match-up and why it is so important to him. Here’s what we know so far.
The Next Generation: 6 Rising UFC Fighters to Watch by Year’s End
The UFC’s landscape is shifting as a new wave of athletes steps into the spotlight, blending raw skill with relentless ambition. In a sport where fortunes can change with a single punch or submission, identifying the next breakout star is both art and science.
This year, several fighters have not only strung together impressive wins but have also demonstrated the technical depth and mental resilience needed to climb the rankings.
Their stories, marked by decisive victories, rapid development, and the ability to adapt under pressure, signal a changing of the guard. As 2025 unfolds, these six competitors stand poised to redefine their divisions and captivate fans worldwide. Here’s why each merits close attention as the year progresses.
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Last Fight Date: 6/20/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#24 W125] Elora Dana Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 6/20/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#31 W125] Ekaterina Shakalova Last 5: W L L W W | ||
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[#60 FW] | ![]() | [#6 LW] | ![]() | |
[#1 LW] | ![]() | [#2 LW] | ![]() | |
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[#15 HW] | ![]() | [#25 LW] | ![]() | |
[#8 FW] | ![]() | [#72 FW] | ![]() |

How do performance bonuses work in combat sports?
Whenever they step into the ring, today’s leading fighters aren’t just competing for status, fame and glory – there is also plenty of cold hard cash to be won, too. Winning a major fight can be a hugely lucrative financial opportunity, thanks to the frequent availability of significant performance bonuses for the most high-flying fighters. These impressive cash prizes can be life-changing for some athletes, and can even change the trajectory of their careers forever. Performance bonuses are typically awarded to fighters who demonstrate a particularly exciting or impressive display of talent – however, the reasoning behind these cash incentives can occasionally lead to confusion and controversy amongst fans of the sport. To help you understand them better, we’ve taken a closer look into how performance bonuses work in combat sports today.

Fight Matrix Program – UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 (07-19-2025)
Lightweight (155)
[#4][#4UFC] Max Holloway (26-8-0, -126) vs. [#6][#6UFC] Dustin Poirier (30-9-0, +104)
Max Holloway is the All-Time #8 ranked Absolute fighter.
Dustin Poirier is the All-Time #5 ranked Lightweight and #26 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (2-1-0)
2024-10-26: L vs. [#4P4P][#2LW] Ilia Topuria (17-0-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:34 of round 3
2024-04-13: W vs. [#5LW] Justin Gaethje (26-5-0) via KO (Punch) in 4:59 of round 5
2023-08-26: W vs. [*] Chan Sung Jung (17-8-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:23 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Dustin Poirier (1-2-0)
2024-06-01: L vs. [#2DD][#3P4P][#1LW] Islam Makhachev (27-1-0) via Submission (Brabo Choke) in 2:42 of round 5
2024-03-09: W vs. [#25LW] Benoit St. Denis (14-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:32 of round 2
2023-07-29: L vs. [#5LW] Justin Gaethje (26-5-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 1:00 of round 2
System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
Betting Odds | Max Holloway | -126 | 53.21% | |
Elo K170 | Max Holloway | 2262.92 | +25.76 | 53.70% |
Elo Modified | Max Holloway | 2221.02 | +46.60 | 56.67% |
Glicko-1 | Max Holloway | 2300.02 | +40.62 | 55.82% |
WHR | Max Holloway | 2119.62 | +112.04 | 65.59% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Max Holloway 33.6, Dustin Poirier 36.5
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Max Holloway 266, Dustin Poirier 413
Previous Match-up Record: Dustin Poirier leads 2-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Max Holloway leads 6-5
.
Middleweight (185)
[#11][#10UFC] Paulo Costa (14-4-0, +222) vs. [#22][#19UFC] Roman Kopylov (14-3-0, -272)
Paulo Costa is the All-Time #27 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Paulo Costa (1-2-0)
2024-06-01: L vs. [#2MW] Sean Strickland (29-7-0) via SD (49-46, 50-45, 46-49)
2024-02-17: L vs. [#7MW] Robert Whittaker (26-8-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-08-20: W vs. [*] Luke Rockhold (16-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Roman Kopylov (2-1-0)
2025-01-11: W vs. [#26WW] Chris Curtis (32-12-0) via TKO (Head Kick) in 4:59 of round 3
2024-06-01: W vs. [#62MW] Cesar Almeida (7-1-0) via SD (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
2024-02-17: L vs. [#13MW] Anthony Hernandez (14-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:23 of round 2
System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
Betting Odds | Roman Kopylov | -272 | 70.18% | |
Elo K170 | Paulo Costa | 1895.83 | +59.57 | 58.49% |
Elo Modified | Paulo Costa | 1962.10 | +131.01 | 68.01% |
Glicko-1 | Paulo Costa | 2053.41 | +169.37 | 72.61% |
WHR | Paulo Costa | 1860.66 | +24.63 | 53.54% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Paulo Costa 34.2, Roman Kopylov 33.2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Paulo Costa 413, Roman Kopylov 189
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Welterweight (170)
[#15][#12UFC] Kevin Holland (28-13-0, -436) vs. [#30][#24UFC] Daniel Rodriguez (19-5-0, +327)
Last 3 Fights: Kevin Holland (2-1-0)
2025-06-07: W vs. [#21WW] Vicente Luque (23-11-1) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 1:03 of round 2
2025-03-22: W vs. [#47WW] Gunnar Nelson (19-6-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2025-01-18: L vs. [#17MW] Reinier de Ridder (20-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:31 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Daniel Rodriguez (2-1-0)
2025-05-03: W vs. [#50WW] Santiago Ponzinibbio (30-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:12 of round 3
2024-10-12: W vs. [#57WW] Alex Morono (24-12-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
2024-06-22: L vs. [#21MW] Kelvin Gastelum (19-10-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
Betting Odds | Kevin Holland | -436 | 77.64% | |
Elo K170 | Kevin Holland | 1968.48 | +102.06 | 64.28% |
Elo Modified | Kevin Holland | 1961.99 | +136.07 | 68.64% |
Glicko-1 | Kevin Holland | 2064.18 | +193.38 | 75.27% |
WHR | Kevin Holland | 1868.00 | +154.25 | 70.85% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Kevin Holland 32.7, Daniel Rodriguez 38.5
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Kevin Holland 42, Daniel Rodriguez 77
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Kevin Holland leads 3-2
.
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We took off last week. Time to get back to it!
Fights considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:
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- Both fighters must have at least 5 fights, with at least 1 draw or 1 loss (excluding debut). More data makes WHR happy.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
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