Even though Dustin Poirier's story didn't end with victory, he still managed to leave the sport with his chin up and with an enormous amount of validation and pride. Not many get that. But not many have had the careers that Poirier has had.

In his final fight he was game and had his moments, but he couldn't handle the volume of Max Holloway. Holloway looked like a true Lightweight in this fight and that came with more power than Poirier was expecting. Poirier almost got a finish at the end of the second round, but for the majority of the fight he was playing keep up.

In the co-main event Paulo Costa impressed in out striking Roman Kopylov. He had a strong first round and scored a knockdown in the second. Things got hairy for him in the third, but he was able to survive and notch the big underdog victory.

Speaking of underdogs. Daniel Rodriguez beat Kevin Holland in a wild fight where both men were close to be finished, multiple times. Both were gassed and wobbled for most of this fight. What the bout lacked in technical excellence, it made up for in drama and toughness.

Before that Patricio Pitbull got a win over Dan Ige in a very dull fight. Pitbull earned the win off of some takedowns.

Michael Johnson opened the PPV with the biggest upset of the night. He took the fight to Daniel Zellhuber and scored a knockdown on route to a unanimous decision (that's three wins in a row for him now).

Vinicius Oliveira closed out the Prelims with a win over Kyler Phillips. Phillips had a strong first round, but then Oliveira decided to become the terminator. He walked after Phillips, with his hands down for the remainder of the fighter, winging power punches.

Before that Brendan Allen out boxed Marvin Vettori to score the win and settle their beef.

Also on the late prelims, Nikolay Veretennikov got his first UFC win with a decision over Francisco Prado. 

Before that fight we had all finishes. 

Those finishes included...

Ateba Gautier continuing to look terrifying in quickly dispatching Robert Valentin.

HIGHLIGHTS!

Islam Dulatov looking slick with a first round finish of Adam Fugitt.

HIGHLIGHTS!

Jimmy Crute possibly breaking Marcin Prachnio's arm with an arm bar.

HIGHLIGHTS!

Ryan Spann dominating Lukasz Brzeski before locking him up in his patented guillotine.

Brunno Ferreira locking up an armbar on newcomer Jackson McVey.

And Carli Judice destroying Nicolle Caliari's liver with a perfectly placed knee.

HIGHLIGHTS!

They've been pretty quiet tonight.

That was a fun, intense and highly tactical battle between two future Hall of Famers. Holloway landed good shots in every round and had Poirier in serious trouble twice. Poirier had his moments and came very close to turning the tables, but Holloway was just too active and too crafty for him tonight.

Poirier tries, but he gets hit and has to clinch up to prevent himself getting laid out in his final fight. Holloway takes this 50-45 on my scorecard.

He's on route to winning this final round. 25 seconds left.

Holloway responds with a nice shot, though. And then a good body kick.

He comes forwards, throwing his right hand. Holloway is able to stay mostly out of range, though.

He takes another round here. Now he's up 40-36.

Poirier knocks his head back with a jab. Poirier surges back with a combo.