Holloway has lost three times to Alexander Volkanovski in featherweight title fights. He will try to avoid losing for the third time to Poirier, who submitted him in February 2012 and then won a dramatic unanimous decision in a rematch in April 2019. "I'm 0-3 in one trilogy." I don't want to be 0-3 in two trilogies. Holloway said in an interview with MMA Junkie that "that's the main thing going through my mind." "The BMF championship is fine and all, and making history is fantastic, but the major history I don't want to make is being a man who fought two trilogies and lost all three times. My main goal is to go out there and raise my hand. Big shout out to DP, "The Diamond." He's a monster, a beast, and a legend. I know this is his last dance, but I have to ruin it for him. This is the one I need. Holloway, who is 33 years old, says he is sure he can beat Poirier this time and send him into retirement with a loss. Holloway still wants to win a championship in his career, and he understands he needs to win. Holloway noted, "You're only as good as your last fight," and his last battle wasn't very good. Holloway declared that after Ilia Topuria knocked him out at UFC 308 in October, he was done with the 145-pound class and would be a lightweight for good. He wants to start off on the right foot, which means winning at UFC 318. Holloway remarked, "You can't even tell who I am in that first fight." "Then the second bout is what it is. We went out there and did what we had to do. I thought I accomplished enough. I clearly didn't. Three individuals sitting ringside thought it was a decision, but it went the other way. You shouldn't cry over spilled milk. We only need to worry about the next one. I'm really concentrated right now, and I can't wait. "The only right way for me and him to finish a trilogy now is for him to get the sub and then the decision. So let's work out this trilogy and hope I win this one with a knockout. That would be great. Holloway is not going to UFC 318 to see or be a part of a fairy tale ending. It's going to be a party and sendoff for Poirier after a fantastic career. He wants to disrupt Poirier's retirement celebration in Louisiana, which is where Poirier lives, but he only wants to win. Holloway remarked, "If I have to be the bad guy, I want to be the bad guy because it's his last dance and I want to raise his hand." "So be it." It's all about business. I'll be the bad guy for 25 minutes, maybe a week, and then it's all over. I don't harbor grudges like these folks do. We always work things out when we get in the octagon. Dustin doesn't go too far with his speech, and a lot of his fans don't either. It's really simple to be the bad guy versus someone like Dustin at the end of the day.