NEW ORLEANS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday's UFC 318 fighter weigh-ins. The early weigh-ins take place at the UFC host hotel in New Orleans and precede the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans, which take place at 6 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center. The same venue hosts Saturday's event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

UFC 318 is built around a BMF title bout with Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) and the retirement fight of Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC), who meet in a lightweight trilogy bout at the top of the card.

New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks celebrates his birthday on Saturday, July 19, with a show at Gasa Gasa. He’ll be joined by La Reezy, who recently has been catching some national attention, and gifted lyricist Kaye the Beast. Music starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $19.29 via gasagasanola.com.

The entire UFC 318 main card, along with Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier, had faceoffs at the press conference.

The helmet received praise not only from fans but also from longtime Saints supporter and UFC legend Daniel Cormier, who visited the team's facility on Thursday and raved about th