Max Holloway’s return to featherweight and the pursuit of gold

Holloway’s quest for a second division title

Max Holloway returns to featherweight this month to chase the undisputed lightweight title. He currently holds the BMF championship after he defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 19. This victory made him the only person to successfully defend the BMF belt. Holloway wants to become a two-division champion and avenge his loss to Ilia Topuria. He previously described the BMF belt as a "laughingstock" before he captured it by knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. Since he landed that iconic shot in April 2024, he has used the BMF status to increase his drawing power for pay-per-view cards. Holloway is 27-8 and fights out of Waianae, Hawaii. His victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 on March 7 served as a rematch from their meeting in 2015. This win fueled his momentum in his pursuit of lightweight gold. Holloway’s crisp boxing and frequent use of the jab have allowed him to remain a dominant force for over a decade. Because he has fought so many legends, his return to 145 pounds carries significant weight for the division. His fight against Oliveira was a significant test of his durability.

Topuria’s lightweight movement

Ilia Topuria dominates the featherweight division but looks toward the lightweight title. Topuria, who is 28 and carries a 17-0 record, defeated Max Holloway via TKO in the third round at UFC 308. He is the only man who can say he stopped the legendary former champion Holloway with strikes. He also stopped Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira to become a two-weight champion. Topuria intends to defend the lightweight title against the winner of the Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fight. He stated on X that he would return to the octagon between April and June. Topuria told fans he will not leave the featherweight title vacant, even though his coach, Jorge Climent Tommasi, says that cutting weight for 145 pounds becomes harder because Topuria walks around as heavy as 187. Recently, Topuria dealt with personal issues and family court matters in Spain regarding a custody case with his ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui. He intends to win the lightweight title and retire before he turns 30. He wants to chase Islam Makhachev at 155 pounds. Topuria has already beaten the second and third most successful champions in the history of the featherweight division. Topuria wants to secure his legacy by conquering the 155-pound division.

The BMF lineage and title implications

The overlap between Holloway’s pursuit and Topuria’s expansion creates a unique situation for the UFC. Holloway is 27-8 and seeks to build on his victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. He aims to prove he can handle elite power at 155 pounds. You already know that Holloway carries himself as a BMF regardless of the belt. His movement between weight classes complicates the lightweight title picture where Islam Makhachev has been the dominant force. Topuria wants to move up to 155 pounds to chase Makhachev. Holloway’s recent stats show he tied Darren Elkins for most featherweight appearances with 27 bouts and surpassed Frankie Edgar for the second-most total fight time in UFC history. He previously maintained an 11-year undefeated run at featherweight before Topuria ended it. His recent loss in Abu Dhabi was his first TKO/KO loss in a 34-fight pro career. He remains a top name in the division despite that loss. His reputation for toughness was tested when a clean right hand from Topuria caused him to uncharacteristically retreat. The BMF belt itself began as a way to feature fighters like Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal in high-intensity bouts. Holloway’s career includes these high-stakes encounters. Will the UFC create a path for Holloway to secure both the BMF belt and the lightweight crown?