The Max Holloway next fight news should arrive in the next couple of months. While his legion of fans wait we offer up three opponent options and take a look back at his legendary performance and win at UFC 300.
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Max Holloway next fight opponent options?
At UFC 300, Holloway earned a new title to his trophy case when he was able to beat BMF champion Justin Gaethje with a shocking last-second knockout in their highly entertaining matchup. Following the monumental victory over an elite talent, there are a lot of options for the Hawaiian at featherweight and lightweight.
That is why Holloway’s next opponent likely will be new 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria, or the winner of the UFC 302 title fight between 155-pound king Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier.
- El Matador: Facing Topuria seems like the most logical option despite his latest win coming at lightweight. He is one of the greatest featherweights of all time and there isn’t another contender that has a far better case.
- The Champ: Holloway was supposed to face UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov but was forced out of the last-minute bout due to a bad weight cut. Facing the Russian’s close friend and new Final Boss of Lightweight is a great story.
- Diamond Rematch: Poirier brutalized Holloway the last time he moved up to 155 pounds, so a revenge fight for lightweight gold if “Diamond” beats Makhachev would be a huge fight later this year.
Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje review
Holloway vs. Gaethje was one of the most highly anticipated bouts at UFC 300 and it completely lived up to the hopes of fight fans as both battled over five hard-fought rounds in an action-packed matchup that saw it all come to a close in spectacular fashion.
What happened: The two future Hall-of-Famers went toe-to-toe for five championship rounds but while Gaethje did major damage with his low kicks — as many expected — Holloway battled through it and was the faster and more technical fighter all night. He was winning on the scorecards in the fifth round when he took a massive risk by getting into a final-second brawl with the BMF champ that ended up delivering one of the biggest KOs in UFC history.
The fallout: The KO win is arguably the greatest in the storied career of “Blessed.” However, for Gaethje the matchup was a risk for him after getting back into title contention at lightweight and he will likely need to win another fight or two to get back into the title fight discussion.
The roadmap: Holloway will likely face Ilia Topuria in his next bout but it is not impossible that he could to see who is left standing after May’s lightweight title fight.
What makes Max Holloway so popular?
Despite the greatness of Jose Aldo before him, many observers of the sport view Holloway as the greatest featherweight fighter in UFC history. Although Volkanovski may go on to usurp his place in history eventually, “Blessed’s” resume speaks for itself. And he will only add to it with many prime years still ahead of him.
The Best Boxer in MMA: Although Holloway is a complete fighter, he is a featherweight legend for his elite-level striking and the boxing he has often proclaimed as the best in the UFC.
- Max Holloway record: 26-7
- Max Holloway stats: Blessed has scored 12 knockouts and 2 submission wins during his career
- Max Holloway age: 32 years old
- Max Holloway wife: “Blessed” started dating surfer Alessa Quizon in 2020 and the couple eventually married in 2022.
- With over 28 fights in the top MMA promotion in the world, Holloway has compiled a 21-7 record. Eight of those matchups were title fights.
- Holloway earned the moniker of UFC featherweight GOAT from his decisive victories over former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, current 155-pound titlist Charles Oliveira, Chan Sung Jung, Brian Ortega, and Jose Aldo (twice), and most recently Justin Gaethje.
- His record is far from perfect but it has taken elite-level talent to beat him. All but one of his seven losses in the Octagon game against former or current UFC champions.
- Hawaiian MMA great BJ Penn was long seen as the greatest fighter to ever come out of “The Aloha State.” However, Holloway has surpassed Penn’s notoriety and become the face of Pacific Islands cage fighting.
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Max Holloway’s net worth
Money is often one of the greatest measuring sticks for a fighter’s success. As of 2024, Holloway’s net worth is estimated to be over $2 million.
