Just like Alex Pereira did, Max Holloway hopes he can turn things around after getting knocked out in the octagon.
Former champion Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) suffered his first-career knockout loss when he was stopped by featherweight champ Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the UFC 308 main event.
Holloway announced that he’ll be making a permanent move up to lightweight, and seeks new life in a weight class above – just like light heavyweight champion Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) did when he lost his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya by knockout at UFC 287.
“155 bro, I cannot wait,” Holloway said during a KICK stream (h/t Championship Rounds). “All I know is, we saw Alex Pereira get finished, right? Next fight he fought for a No. 1 contender spot, (then he) fought for the title and he’s on a spectacular title run. Let’s mimic it. Let’s do it. I get inspiration in that. He’s a beast.”
After losing to Adesanya, Pereira moved up to 205 pounds and defeated ex-champ Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 to become No. 1 contender. He won the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka, and has since defended his belt twice with knockouts of Jamahal Hill, and most recently Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in October.
Prior to his loss to Topuria, Holloway landed in the No. 5 spot in the UFC’s lightweight rankings by scoring an iconic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje to become BMF champion at UFC 300.
