Max Holloway Likes Options at 155 Pounds After UFC 318 Triumph

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While his victory over Dustin Poirier opened the door for more big fights in the future at lightweight, it was nonetheless a somewhat bittersweet experience for Max Holloway.

“I’m pretty happy. Like I said, though, it sucks, I came in here to be spoiler, that’s what I’m going to do, but it sucks to do it against a man like him,” Holloway said at the UFC 318 post-fight press conference. “I had to do it against ‘Korean Zombie’ [Chan Sung Jung] and now I do it against Dustin. These guys are just great people. Forget what they did in the fight game, they’re just great human beings. They’re just great people and I’ve got nothing but love and respect for him and what he did. He is a ‘BMF’ in every sense of the word.

“He was up 2-0, done, gave me the opportunity to get him back in the last fight, that’s what BMFs do. And he got to walk out with [Lil Wayne]. He got Weezy to put the belt on us, so that’s pretty amazing.”

After losing to Poirier in an interim lightweight title bout in April 2019, Holloway has enjoyed new life at 155 pounds over the past year or so. After victories over Poirier at UFC 318 and Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, “Blessed” has the looks of a contender in his new division. That could mean a rematch with recently crowned champion Ilia Topuria, who handed Holloway his first career knockout loss in a featherweight title tilt at UFC 308 this past October.

Holloway: ‘This Sport is About Moments’​


"I've been telling you guys all week: This sport is about moments," Holloway said. "This sport is about having moments. I'm glad I went in here, I had this moment, and we'll see what happens if it's Ilia. The ball is in the UFC's court. I'm down for whatever. If it's Ilia, it's Ilia. The guy that he just beat, Oliveira, I have history with. The whole Top 10. There are a lot of fun fights for me at lightweight. I'm excited.”

UFC CEO Dana White agreed that Holloway could have plenty of options on the heels of another high-profile victory.


"I think he's in a great position right now," White said. "He just defended that BMF title, he's ranked No. 4 there. Anything is possible for Max right now.”

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I like Max but he’s not touching Topuria… let’s not even go there.


Holloway vs Charles is a great match up between two legends who are looking to climb their way back to the top. If pink goof had any sense that’s the fight to make.


<31>
 
Just keep him away from anyone who might put his brain to sleep, or will cause him to absorb the most amount of head strikes.
 
I like Max but he’s not touching Topuria… let’s not even go there.


Holloway vs Charles is a great match up between two legends who are looking to climb their way back to the top. If pink goof had any sense that’s the fight to make.


<31>
Max would probably be the favorite versus Olives at this stage, but it's not really an ideal fight to make. If Charles wins they would just be knocking off a contender for the belt.

It would be better if they matched Max up with somebody who he can get a title shot off of, and if the opponent wins they can get a title shot too. Somebody like Arman or Paddy. Whoever the odd man out is for Ilia's next fight. A true #1 contender fight.
 
Come Tuesday, there's every chance they vault him above Gaethje again, who he did already beat so I'm pretty sure there's only 2 choices. Either he fights Charles or he fights Arman, depending on what is next for Ilia. Maybe Ilia is sitting for a spell and they do Arman-Justin, Max-Charles. Maybe they go back to Arman, in which case I'd still like Max-Charles and Justin can go fight Paddy. But if for some godforsaken reason they go to Justin, they could do Max-Arman, which would be a better victory for Max in terms of how the division looks right now, but is still less interesting than Max-Charles.
 
Come Tuesday, there's every chance they vault him above Gaethje again, who he did already beat so I'm pretty sure there's only 2 choices. Either he fights Charles or he fights Arman, depending on what is next for Ilia. Maybe Ilia is sitting for a spell and they do Arman-Justin, Max-Charles. Maybe they go back to Arman, in which case I'd still like Max-Charles and Justin can go fight Paddy. But if for some godforsaken reason they go to Justin, they could do Max-Arman, which would be a better victory for Max in terms of how the division looks right now, but is still less interesting than Max-Charles.
Paddy vs Justin is co-main for 319, allegedly. Surprised it hasn't been announced yet or if there was some sort of hold-up. But I would think UFC would wait for that outcome before they start making plans.
 
The best option for Max is retirement. It shouldn't just be about great moments in fighting. He should also want to have moments in the future where he is w his wife and family and he is healthy.
 
Max vs Paddy would make sense imo, a winnable fight for Max that could set him up for a title eliminator, and if Paddy can pull it off it will finally be a legit win for him and set him up for a title eliminator.
 
Max vs Paddy would make sense imo, a winnable fight for Max that could set him up for a title eliminator, and if Paddy can pull it off it will finally be a legit win for him and set him up for a title eliminator.
Dricus said Paddy vs Gaethje is co main for 319. That would be the legit win to set him up for #1 contender vs Max. Timing works out good too.
 
I think him and Charles would be a fun rematch.

Though, now that I think about it... maybe give him Arman? It's clear now that Arman won't get a title shot (nor get back into the UFC's good graces) until he wins another fight. Meanwhile, I have little doubt the UFC is going to slow-roll Max from facing Topuria again given how fresh their last match-up is in the minds of many -- regardless of the divisional change. This match-up kills two birds with one stone. Either Max earns his way back toward a legitimate rematch in his new division by knocking off the #1 contender or Arman takes out a high-profile fighter and earns his title shot fair and square. Also stylistically it's pretty interesting because when's the last time Max fought someone who will try to wrestle him aggressively?
 
Dricus said Paddy vs Gaethje is co main for 319. That would be the legit win to set him up for #1 contender vs Max. Timing works out good too.
That works too, if that's the case then they could do Max vs Charles.
 
I think him and Charles would be a fun rematch.

Though, now that I think about it... maybe give him Arman? It's clear now that Arman won't get a title shot (nor get back into the UFC's good graces) until he wins another fight. Meanwhile, I have little doubt the UFC is going to slow-roll Max from facing Topuria again given how fresh their last match-up is in the minds of many -- regardless of the divisional change. This match-up kills two birds with one stone. Either Max earns his way back toward a legitimate rematch in his new division by knocking off the #1 contender or Arman takes out a high-profile fighter and earns his title shot fair and square. Also stylistically it's pretty interesting because when's the last time Max fought someone who will try to wrestle him aggressively?
Arman is absolutely the fight to make. It's a real #1 contender fight. But it all comes down to who the odd man out is for Ilias next title defense. UFC could easily give Max or Arman next shot. There's not many options.
 
If Gaethje insist on belly aching, and sitting out. Then make Max vs Paddy for the next crack at the belt, while Arman and Ilia fight next for it.
 
Max vs Charles is my least preferred fight for Max. Just doesn't advance the title picture enough.

Vs Armen the fight is a #1 contender.

Vs Paddy could be a #1 contender fight, especially if Paddy beats Justin at 319.
 
Max isn’t doing much at lightweight.

That being said, at this stage in his career, he can put on some entertaining fights for the fans.
 

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