NEW ORLEANS — The trilogy fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier may not have been a microcosm of their first two encounters, but it delivered an electrifying final 15 seconds when Holloway and the retiring Poirier traded blows in Round 5.

The result was a victory for lightweight Holloway by unanimous decision on the three judges’ cards — 48-47, 49-46, 49-46 — at UFC 318 in New Orleans on Saturday night.

Holloway (27-8 MMA) was classy in victory against Poirier, as he had lost the first two fights of the series before returning the favor in Louisiana native Poirier’s last MMA bout.

“The baddest man alive, bro,” said Holloway, 33. “Give it up for Dustin Poirier.” A first-round knockdown from the Hawaiian set the tone early as Holloway nearly finished Poirier (30-10) but his 36-year-old opponent persevered.

By Round 4, Poirier had little energy left but admitted post-fight that he was impressed that the former featherweight champion Holloway’s striking was still as sharp as ever. According to the final stats on the broadcast, Holloway outlanded Poirier 113-99 in significant head strikes.

“I thought he was going to be in here cracking a little bit harder, which he was,” Poirier said of Holloway. “This guy is tough to deal with when he’s in front of you. He’s slick. He’s crafty. He’s fast. He’s the (BMF) champ. I got nothing but respect for Max, man. He’s one of the good guys.”