Holloway Outlines Plans After UFC 308 Loss – ‘Ideally International Fight Week’

Max Holloway outlined his plans for his next fight following his loss against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.

Blessed was knocked out for the first time in his UFC career as Topuria successfully defended his UFC Featherweight Title. Holloway entered the fight as the BMF Champion after stopping Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He stopped Justin with a big right hand, ending the fight with a second left to go, making him the BMF Champion. The BMF belt was not on the line against Topuria, meaning that Holloway still has something to defend. The manner in which he was stopped suggests that he may take some time off before he considers his next fight.

Holloway’s Options

But he has already given fans an insight by stating that he will likely move back up to 155 pounds to campaign at lightweight. He hopes to be back during International Fight Week next year with a big bout. 
There are several possibilities he could pursue. Dustin Poirier suggested a fight against Holloway in a one-night BMF-style tournament.

The Diamond is coming off a loss against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, as he was submitted in the final round. Poirier has already beaten Holloway twice, meaning that he would be a favorite. That gives Holloway an incentive to run things back after Poirier said he wants one more fight in his hometown, Louisiana, before he retires.

If Holloway were to get that fight, he would have the opportunity to end Poirier’s career on a loss. There is also the possibility of facing another top contender in the lightweight division. Michael Chandler will face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in their rematch. Chandler took the fight after Conor McGregor withdrew from their UFC 303 fight after suffering a broken toe. A win for Chandler will take him closer to a title shot while leaving the door open for a McGregor fight. Max could throw his name into the mix by facing the winner, as a victory over them would take him closer to a title shot against the current champion Islam.

Holloway Reacts

Holloway could also chase a bout with Conor McGregor. McGregor praised Holloway after he beat Gaethje. McGregor’s next fight is unclear after Chandler’s withdrawal. While he did confirm that he would fight Dan Hooker in Saudi Arabia on February 1 at UFC Saudi Arabia, Dana White has not confirmed this. That has left the Irishman’s future uncertain. However, a fight against Holloway could make sense since McGregor would have the opportunity to become a BMF Champion. Either way, Holloway wanted the biggest fights on his return.

“Ideally International Fight Week, Las Vegas, making my return to [the] 155 [pound division]. And with me being ranked at [1]55 [pounds] is great. Hopefully, I can fight somebody in front of me. We get a big win [and] who knows, we might be knocking on another title fight at 155 [pounds], you know, at lightweight… The BMF title is a 155 [pound] title. So, if it’s the BMF title with someone, so be it. If it’s a No.1-contender fight for 155 so be it. Whatever [the] UFC wants to throw at me,” Holloway said 

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