Max Holloway is the name on most people’s lips ahead of his historic fight at UFC 300. Taking on Justin Gaethje in what will be an epic fight, it is clear that many are anxiously awaiting the fight. However, not everybody is on the same page when it comes to the matchup.
Previously, it was announced that Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway will be making the move up to 155lbs to challenge for Justin Gaethje’s BMF title. Since the reintroduction of the title back in 2023, ‘The Highlight’ managed to knockout Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 to claim the honorary belt. With that said, there was no talk about it being up for grabs again.
The BMF title will be on the line at #UFC300 🚨@Justin_Gaethje & @BlessedMMA collide in a 5-round lightweight bout to see who’s the BADDEST of them all! pic.twitter.com/1TJE1h1cPT
— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2024
Thereafter, among the initial UFC 300 announcements, it was revealed that Max Holloway would be the next in line to contend for the title. Although Gaethje was expected to face Islam Makhachev next, the matchup created a bit of confusion among the fans. Regardless, considering the fight and the occasion, the fans played along.
Max Holloway hits out at Islam Makhachev’s comments
Naturally, with two fan-favorite fighters like Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje duking it out, the fans have been hyped from day one. Not only that, it is a matchup that has received praise and interest from fighters and experts alike, simply due to the greatness of the fighters involved. However, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes that the matchup ‘makes no sense’.
Possibly disregarding the BMF title as something worth fighting over, Makhachev was not too impressed with the idea of the fight. However, Holloway, who has been on ‘no-nonsense’ behavior all camp has hit back at the lightweight champ for his comments.
“I saw Islam talk about how this fight makes no sense and blah blah blah. I’m like, ‘Brother, you should have fought Justin in February.’”
“Why did the guy you knocked out(Alex Volkanovski) turn around so fast to fight in February when you were healthy? .. Everyone knows you can’t fight in Ramadan.”
“.. He’s complaining like he can’t get fights. Because you’re only fighting around the times that you want to fight.”
According to Max Holloway, it was Islam’s indecision that led to the BMF title matchup in the first place. With all other top contenders now booked, Makhachev had himself to blame for his inactivity. As the former featherweight champ believes, the Dagestani could easily have fought Justin Gaethje in February but seemingly refused to do so.
Max Holloway sets his sights on a future Ilia Topuria matchup
All things considered, the winner of the Max Holloway – Justin Gaethje fight will go on to face Islam Makhachev in the future. If Gaethje’s words are to be believed, the winner of Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan is meant to be Islam’s next fight, before the winner of the BMF title. At the same time, numerous reports suggest that Makhachev could in fact be in action even sooner, possibly at UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier.
As for Holloway, he is game for fighting Islam if needed in the future. At the same time, he has also expressed his interest go back down to 145 and pay a visit to the newly crowned Ilia Topuria.
“100 percent. He likes to talk a lot, I like to listen. When its time it’s time, he’s gonna have to see me sooner or later.
“Like I said, there’s a reason why the UFC didn’t want him to fight me. They made all these other contenders coming out to fight me. Yair, Arnold Allen, you keep naming them.”
“Why didn’t Ilia come up? Then he gets a title shot against after Josh Emmett. Against a guy who just lost to the champion. MMA math is confusing as hell sometimes”
Currently, Ilia Topuria is expected to face Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch, when the UFC decides to visit Spain. With Ilia heavily favored in that matchup, the discussion then turns to who he faces next. With Sean O’Malley touted heavily, Max Holloway has now entered the conversation as well. Seeing that he is more qualified for it, it is a fight that the UFC could explore. Thus, win or lose, Max will still have a lot of options moving forward.
