BREAKING NEWS: Dana White Accuses Max Holloway of Using Banned Substances to Win Against Dustin Poirier: “Holloway is a cheat! I have proof, and I will expose it all!”

At 10:34 AM +07 on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, UFC President Dana White has dropped a bombshell, alleging that Max Holloway used banned substances to secure his unanimous decision victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025. In a stunning press conference held just moments ago in Las Vegas, White declared, “Holloway is a cheat! I have proof, and I will expose it all!”—sending shockwaves through the MMA world and threatening to unravel Holloway’s recent triumph.

The Fight That Sparked the Controversy

The highly anticipated trilogy bout for the BMF title saw Holloway outlast Poirier over five grueling rounds at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Holloway’s relentless pace and striking volume—186 to 114—secured scores of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46, despite Poirier landing knockdowns of his own. Poirier’s emotional retirement in the Octagon, marked by leaving his gloves to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” was overshadowed by his earlier accusation of dirty tactics, which he later retracted after Holloway provided clean drug test results. Now, White’s claim resurrects the doping narrative with a new twist.

White’s Explosive Allegation

During the unscheduled press conference at 10:25 AM +07, White, visibly agitated, accused Holloway of evading detection. “We’ve got evidence he’s been juicing—test results don’t lie, and we caught him slipping,” White stated, promising to release “undisclosed lab reports” within 48 hours. He suggested Holloway’s rapid recovery from a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in October 2024 and his lightweight transition fueled suspicion, hinting at a sophisticated doping scheme. “This isn’t just about Poirier; it’s about the integrity of the sport,” White added, vowing to suspend Holloway pending investigation.

The accusation has stunned fans, given Holloway’s prior clean record under the UFC’s Drug Free Sport International (DFSI) program, which replaced USADA in 2024. White’s claim of “proof” contrasts with Holloway’s post-fight evidence, raising questions about internal UFC dynamics or new testing data.

Fan and Fighter Reactions

Social media, particularly X, is ablaze with reactions. Poirier, who had stayed silent since retracting his doping claim, retweeted White’s statement with a cryptic “Told you so,” reigniting his earlier stance. Holloway’s camp has yet to respond, but fans are split—some decry White’s move as a publicity stunt to boost UFC 318’s legacy, while others demand transparency, with posts like “Expose the cheat!” trending. Analysts speculate White’s outburst could stem from pressure to address past doping scandals or protect Poirier’s farewell.

What This Means

If substantiated, Holloway’s BMF title could be stripped, and his lightweight aspirations—potentially a Topuria rematch—derailed, with Poirier’s legacy possibly restored. White’s pledge to “expose it all” could lead to a full investigation, impacting UFC credibility and fighter trust. For now, the MMA world holds its breath, awaiting the promised proof that could redefine UFC 318’s outcome.

As the clock ticks past 10:34 AM +07, this breaking news promises a dramatic escalation in the days ahead.