UFC 318 HOLLOWAY VS POIRIER 3

UFC 318 Recap & Reactions: My Thoughts on an Action-Packed Night

What’s up, fight fans! UFC 318 just went down last night, and man, what a card. I sat down, took some notes, and I’ve got a lot to talk about. The underdogs showed up, the main event delivered, and if you like betting, this was one to remember. 

Introduction: Setting the Scene

Last night’s UFC 318 was wild. From start to finish, nearly every fight had something that made me jump out of my seat. I made sure to keep some notes because I knew I’d want to share my thoughts with you, and honestly, if you love seeing underdogs pull off upsets, this card was for you.

“All the underdogs did. Underdogs did.”

The energy in the arena was insane, the fighters came to throw down, and we got to see some real veteran craftiness as well as some breakout performances. If there’s one theme for the night, it’s that you never know what’s going to happen in the UFC!

Michael Johnson’s Big Win

Volume, Heart, and Veteran Experience

First up, let’s talk about Michael Johnson. Now, I’ll be real—I totally forgot to write down his opponent’s name. But what stuck with me was how sharp Michael Johnson looked in the cage.

Johnson came in looking like the real veteran he is:

• Phenomenal volume: He didn’t slow down, kept the hands flying, and made life really hard for his opponent.
  
• Worked the guy all fight: He stuck to his plan and outworked him from the first bell to the last.

His opponent tried to keep Johnson at range with kicks and long strikes, but Johnson just pushed through, landed his own combos, and by the second round, he hurt the guy bad. All that volume—hand combinations, pressure, and movement—it was just a ton for the other dude to handle.

In the end, Michael Johnson got the decision, and it was well-deserved. If you enjoy seeing a crafty veteran still winning, this was one for you.

“Congrats to Michael Johnson. Still winning.”

Patricky Pitbull vs. Dan Ige: Grappling Wins the Day

Underdog Story Continues

Next up on the card was the clash between Patricky Pitbull (another underdog) and Dan Ige. I was looking forward to this one. The first round? Super close. Dan Ige looked sharp and probably edged it out. But in the second round, things flipped.

Pitbull turned up the pressure, mixed it up, and started using his grappling to really change the story of the fight. He hurt Dan a couple of times and controlled the fight in the grappling exchanges.

After the dust settled, Pitbull was your winner. Hats off to him—getting your first UFC win is something special. The fact that yet another underdog came out on top really set the tone for the rest of the night.

“Pitbull pulled it out and congrats to him. First UFC win—great job for him.”

Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez: Close Calls & Mount Control

Really Could’ve Gone Either Way

After two big underdog wins, we got Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez. Going in, I thought Holland was going to take it. He always brings that swagger and creativity, and he plays to the crowd. But sometimes the fight game doesn’t go how you expect.

The fight itself was razor close. What probably tipped the scales? The last two minutes of the fight. Rodriguez managed to mount Holland a couple of times, controlled him, and landed shots. Now, Holland did a great job avoiding the biggest, cleanest punches from the mount, but those last couple minutes matter big time in the judge’s eyes.

“Rodriguez mounted him and the last two minutes… think that’s what ultimately gave him decision.”

I was surprised Holland didn’t get the W, but honestly, this was a close one. Could’ve gone either way, so I can’t be mad at the result. If you love seeing two guys battle it out with a mix of skills, this was a fun scrap.

Paulo Costa’s Power Performance

All About That Strength

And then—Paulo Costa. The guy is a powerhouse, and he didn’t mess around against Roman (honestly, I won’t even try to pronounce the last name). From the opening bell, Costa looked like the bigger, stronger fighter. He hurt his opponent multiple times, showed off his power, and put on a clinic.

What stood out:

• More power: Costa landed the heavier shots and made sure you could see who was boss.
  
• Controlled the fight: He beat the kid up, mixed in different strikes, and never really let his opponent get going.
  
• Another underdog win! If you’re the betting type, this was a card where picking underdogs paid off.

“That was four underdogs on the main card. Very impressive and very good if you were a person that was betting for sure.”

Main Event: Holloway Shines in His Hometown

Max Holloway’s Masterclass

Let’s talk about the main event. Max Holloway—what a legend. He looked absolutely amazing out there, fighting in his home city. Holloway was in rhythm all night. You could see the veteran moves, his ability to pick shots, and his crazy good defense.

Some things that really stood out about Holloway’s performance:

• Reading range: He knew exactly where to stand to land his shots and avoid damage.
  
• Great defense: Moving his head off the centerline, making the other guy miss.
  
• Fluent combinations: Putting his punches and strikes together in ways that kept his opponent guessing.
  
• Picking his opponent apart: Holloway made sure to land, move, and never take more punishment than he needed to.

His opponent, though—props to him. He had some moments, and honestly, he’s had a phenomenal career. Super cool to see him get the moment he wanted in front of his home crowd.

“Congrats to him and to close things out the way he wanted to in his home city for sure. Very much deserved for a guy that put this much into sports.”

But, real talk—this night belonged to Max Holloway. I’m hyped to see if he gets a rematch with “Tooyia” (I’m pretty sure that’s a typo in my notes, but you know who I mean). Either way, Holloway’s still at the top, and I’m here for his next fight.

Why the Underdogs Dominated

This was the night for the underdogs—no question. Four underdogs walked away with wins on the main card alone. If you like rooting for the folks no one expects to win, or you’re the type who likes a chance to win big on a bet, then UFC 318 was your kind of card.

Here’s how it played out:

• Michael Johnson: Outworked a tough opponent and showed the value of experience.
  
• Patricky Pitbull: Used grit and grappling to pull off his first UFC win.
  Paulo Costa: Brought the power and backed up his underdog status with a dominant win.
  
• Who else? Throughout the night, being counted out seemed to fire these guys up.

“All the underdogs did. If you're a better, maybe you parlayed a couple of the underdogs and got paid good.”

It’s what makes MMA so great—you never really know who’s going to win, and sometimes the guy with the longer odds has the bigger heart.

What Made UFC 318 Special?

Alright, let’s take a second to talk about the card as a whole. I’ve seen a lot of UFC events over the years, and honestly, this one was different in a good way.

• Action-packed all night: There wasn’t a single boring fight on the main card. Everyone came to fight.
  
• Upsets and surprises: You can’t script stuff like this—underdogs showing out in every big match is wild.
  
• Veteran fighters shining: Guys like Michael Johnson and Max Holloway put on clinics and showed they still have what it takes.
  
• The energy: The crowd, the finishes, and the competitive fights all added to the magic.

“Great card guys. One of the best cards I’ve seen in a while. All the fights were good and very exciting.”

If you’re a longtime fan or even just someone tuning in for the first time, this was a reminder of why we all love MMA. It keeps you on your toes and delivers moments you don’t see in any other sport.

Looking Ahead: Holloway’s Next Step

After a huge win like that, everyone’s asking: What’s next for Max Holloway? Does he get another crack at the champ? Is there a big-money showdown waiting?

“I’m excited to see if Holloway gets a rematch with Topuria or not. We’ll see how it goes…”

Here’s what I think:

1. Rematch Potential: After a performance like that, Holloway has a strong argument for eating another title shot.
   
2. Staying Active: Holloway always likes to fight, so if the champ isn’t ready, expect him in another banger soon.
   
3. Fan Favorite: No matter who he fights next, you know it’s going to be fun.

If you’re like me, you’re pumped to see what’s next for “Blessed.” Let me know in the comments who you want to see him fight next!

New to Martial Arts? How to Get Started

Maybe some of the action last night has you fired up to jump into training yourself. If you’re new to martial arts or looking to find the right gym in your area, I’ve got a resource that can help.

“If you’re new to martial arts and you’re looking for a gym in your area, get my book ‘The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor.”

Why Start Training?

• Fitness: MMA and martial arts will get you in the best shape of your life.
  
• Discipline: You’ll learn focus, discipline, and how to keep pushing through challenges.
  
• Community: Martial arts gyms are a great place to make friends and be part of something positive.

How to Find a Gym

Here's a quick cheat sheet to get started:

1. Google gyms in your area and check for reviews.
   
2. Visit a few gyms: Most places will let you try a class for free.
   
3. Talk to instructors: Make sure they’re experienced and the vibe fits what you’re looking for.
   
4. Ask about schedules, memberships, and what types of classes they offer.

Want more info? Check out my book—the link’s in the description (or just reach out in the comments).

Final Thoughts: Let’s Talk in the Comments!

All in all, UFC 318 brought us one of the best cards in a while. Underdogs making waves, veterans reminding us why they’re legends, and action from start to finish. If you backed the underdogs, congrats on the big payday!