Dustin Poirier plans Lil Wayne walkout for UFC 318 retirement fight against Max Holloway

As Dustin Poirier prepares to make the walk one last time, the former interim lightweight champion is planning a farewell worthy of his storied career. UFC 318 , set for July 19 in New Orleans, isn’t just another fight—it’s the final chapter of a journey that began over a decade ago. With the BMF title on the line and Max Holloway standing across from him, Poirier wants his swan song to reflect where he came from and who he is. And nothing says that better than a walkout alongside Louisiana’s own hip-hop icon, Lil Wayne .

Dustin Poirier set for his final fight at UFC 318 in New Orleans
Dustin Poirier’s third bout with Holloway is a symbolic one. He handed “Blessed” his first UFC loss back in 2013 and defeated him again in 2019 to capture interim gold in an unforgettable five-round battle. Now, in his home state, Poirier will face Holloway one final time, completing a trilogy that mirrors his own evolution as a fighter.

“This is special. I fought Max in his UFC debut. Now he’ll be my last opponent. It’s all come full circle,” Poirier shared on The Ariel Helwani Show.

While fans have grown to love Poirier’s long-time walkout anthem—James Brown’s “The Boss”—the Lafayette native is ready to mix things up for his final walk to the Octagon.


After his hard-fought title clash with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 last year, Poirier made his walk to the Octagon with a powerful mashup featuring Willie Spence’s rendition of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” blended with his longtime anthem, “The Boss” by James Brown. He considered bringing it back—until a new idea sparked.

“My first fight in the UFC, when I fought Josh Grispi, I walked out to Lil Wayne,” Poirier shared. “So, if he does ‘Drop The World’, I’ll come out to him in my last fight.”

Poirier, who once appeared on Lil Wayne’s podcast, hasn’t reached out yet—but the invite is out in the open.

“If he sees this, hit me up Wayne,” he added.

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For Dustin Poirier, UFC 318 is more than a fight—it’s a celebration of legacy, culture, and roots. A final walk out with Lil Wayne would not only bring his UFC journey full-circle but give Louisiana fans a retirement moment they’ll never forget. Whether or not the stars align, “The Diamond” is ready to shine one last time.