Max Holloway has created a significant legacy for himself in the featherweight division, but it appears the final visual of him in the weight class he helped build will be a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria.
In the aftermath of his first stoppage loss due to strikes in the UFC 308 headliner this month, Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) teased he was going to move up to the lightweight division permanently. He’s competed there twice under the UFC banner in the past, losing a thrilling decision to Dustin Poirier in 2019 then scoring an all-time knockout against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April.
After taking time to reflect on the loss to Topuria and where it puts him in his career, Holloway has made the decision to say farewell to featherweight and focus all his efforts on making a run at 155 pounds.
“This is like my phoenix moment, from the ashes we’re reborn,” Holloway said Saturday on his YouTube channel. “We’re on to bigger, better stuff and walking through a new door and starting a new chapter. I’m a big believer in never say never, and the big question now is, ‘Was that your last fight at 145?’ You guys saw me touch upon it in the press conference, and I can honestly say I think I’m done with 145. Your boy is only getting older. I turn 33. This cut – no excuses. This cut was easy, bro. Shout out to my wife. They helped make this cut really easy, but it takes a tole cutting weight, period. No matter what weight you are.
“I had to give up ramen for my ’45 camps. So I’m done with that. I don’t ever want to give up ramen again. 155, here we come and 155 is where I want to stay. This is a new chapter. This is where we start. This is where we begin. I cannot wait. Like I said, never say never. But I can honestly look you guys in the eye and tell you guys I’m probably not ever going back to ’45. I love what I did. I did what I did. I did what I had to do there. I worked my way back, I clawed my back to the championship fight multiple times there. I was a champion. I defended at that weight. Now it’s time to move on to the next chapter, and 155 there’s a bunch of fun fights that I cannot wait to take.”
Holloway expressed excitement to dive into a physical transformation of moving up. He admitted he never was able to fully commit to it in his previous divisional appearances because he knew there were still featherweight fights in his future, but that’s no longer the case.
“When I do make the return it’s going to be at 155 and we’re there to stay,” Holloway said. “Even the version of myself you saw at 155 against Gaethje is not the full version. We had the idea of going back to ’45 because I wanted that world title. I can’t wait for the future. If you thought that version of myself against Gaethje at 300 was good – I can’t wait to get in the lab with my coaches and put some size on.”
Holloway said he is targeting a summer 2025 return to competition, and is open to all options. He could defend the BMF title, take marquee contender fight or go another direction. It’s too soon for Holloway to start naming opponents given his plans for time off, but he knows there will be plenty of solid possibilities on the table for his return.
“If I got to choose a timeline, International Fight Week,” Holloway said. “I would love to be back on the Ninth Island in Las Vegas. Huge card is International Fight Week. I don’t know who is going to be available at that time. With me being ranked at ’55 is great. Hopefully I can fight somebody in front of me, get a big win and who knows? Might be knocking on the door of a title fight at 155.”
