Your Guide to the UFC 318 Prelims
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UFC 318 is going to be special. Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 headlines the card in a high-stakes BMF Championship bout, and it doubles as Poirier’s retirement fight. The trilogy concludes in his home state of Louisiana, with the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans playing host on July 19. It’s been years since their last war for interim gold. Now, they run it back one final time with legacy on the line.
But while all eyes are on the main event, we’re here to spotlight the fights you can’t miss before the big show. As always, this is your Guide to the Prelims, highlighting the hidden gems and future stars set to steal the spotlight at UFC 318:
How to Watch UFC 318
- Early Prelims: 6:00 PM ET (UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+)
- Prelims: 8:00 PM ET (ESPN & ESPN+)
Jackson McVey vs. Brunno Ferreira
Originally booked for UFC 317, Jackson McVey now steps in on short notice for UFC 318. Since turning pro in 2023, McVey has stayed undefeated with all six of his wins coming in the first round, four of them in under a minute.
Across the cage is Brunno Ferreira, who was originally set to face Ikram Aliskerov. Known as “The Hulk,” Ferreira has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his aggressive style and refusal to go to the scorecards.
This is a guaranteed banger between two finishers who waste no time. Don’t blink.
Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira
When top-15 bantamweights meet on the prelims, the stakes are sky high. Ranked No. 12, Kyler Phillips is looking to rebound after a tough loss to top-10 contender Rob Font. With that experience behind him, he’s ready to show he belongs among the division’s best.
On the other side, Oliveira is riding a 3-0 run since joining the UFC and recently broke into the rankings at No. 15. Both fighters are entering their prime years, and this clash could be the start of something big.
Don’t be surprised if this one sets the stage for a future title run.
Ateba Gautier vs. Robert Valentin
Ateba Gautier is a 23-year-old prospect from Cameroon who came through the Contender Series pipeline. Six of his seven wins have come by KO or TKO, with five of those finishes happening in the first round. His UFC debut in March followed the same pattern, only this time he walked away with a $50K Performance of the Night bonus.
Valentin took a different route to the UFC, earning his shot through season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter. He’s struggled against high-level wrestlers lately, but he’s much better than his record shows. Now he faces a dangerous, fast-rising powerhouse in “Robzilla.”
Will Gautier’s hype train keep rolling, or can Valentin shock the world and take it for himself?
Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov
Originally slated for February, this bout was pushed back after a Dulatov injury. Now fully recovered, the 26-year-old German prospect finally makes his UFC debut with an impressive 11-1 record — every win coming by finish. Standing 6’3”, Dulatov is a towering presence at welterweight with dangerous instincts.
Adam Fugitt, 36, entered the UFC in 2022 and brings a wealth of experience and toughness into the cage. This is the biggest test of Dulatov’s career. Will the rising prospect rise to the moment, or will the veteran shut the hype down?
Honorable Mentions
Carli Judice is a promising 26-year-old prospect who’s better than her 1-1 UFC record suggests. Her journey began with a split decision loss on Dana White’s Contender Series, yet she still earned a contract thanks to her performance. That same grit was on display in her UFC debut where we saw another split decision loss that earned Fight of the Night honors. Then she rebounded with a spectacular first-round head kick TKO, again earning her a Performance of the Night bonus.
Her opponent, Nicolle Caliari, dropped her UFC debut via split decision to Ernesta Kareckaite. Ernesta is the same fighter who narrowly beat Judice on DWCS. MMA math aside, this matchup promises action.
Don’t sleep on the prelims. UFC 318 is headlined by a special occasion. But, the action starts early, and the next big breakout star might just be fighting before the main card!
Bundle and save when you buy UFC 318 and a full year of ESPN+ for only $134.98.
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