Max Holloway, the former featherweight king known for his incredible output and striking prowess, recently shed light on what he believes is his clearest path back to challenging for the UFC title currently held by Ilia Topuria. According to Holloway, merely winning his next significant fight isn`t enough; the victory must be nothing short of spectacular.
The Hawaiian fan favorite is coming off a highlight-reel knockout victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, where he captured the BMF (Baddest Motherf*cker) title in a fight that many are calling one of the greatest single moments in UFC history. This performance, seemingly out of a video game, appears to have reinforced Holloway`s perspective on what truly moves the needle with the UFC brass and the fans.
“The UFC consists of such moments, like the one that was at UFC 300 in the fight with Gaethje,” Holloway was quoted saying. He drew a direct parallel between that unforgettable finish and what is required next. “If I can come out… and create a similar bright moment in the fight with Poirier, then who can say that I won’t fight for the title at the end of this year or the beginning of next?”
Holloway`s target for this potential “bright moment” is apparently a rematch against Dustin Poirier. While the specific weight class for this hypothetical bout wasn`t detailed in the snippet, a significant win over a perennial top contender like Poirier, especially one as emphatic as his recent knockout, would certainly make a compelling case for a title shot back down at featherweight against Topuria, or potentially even challenge for a lightweight title if that`s where the Poirier fight occurs.
His logic is straightforward: deliver a performance so dominant, so visually stunning, that it becomes impossible for matchmakers to deny him the next title opportunity. It`s a strategy born from experience – Holloway understands that sometimes, the entertainment value and the sheer impact of a victory outweigh traditional contender rankings, especially in the unpredictable landscape of UFC title contention.
Whether the UFC sees a spectacular win over Poirier as the direct highway to a showdown with “El Matador” Topuria at featherweight remains to be seen. The featherweight division has other contenders vying for position. However, if anyone has proven they can create a moment that reshapes the title picture, it`s Max Holloway. His confidence is high, and the prospect of him attempting to replicate his UFC 300 magic adds significant intrigue to his next step.