Max Holloway’s days as a featherweight contender are officially over. Just shy of a week after his title loss to Ilia Topuria, the former champion has decided to move on from the division he once lorded over.
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On Saturday morning, Max Holloway announced he’d be making a home at lightweight. “I can honestly say I think I’m done with 145. Your boy is only getting older,” he said via his YouTube channel.
“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,” Max Holloway joked. “155 here we come and 155 is where I’m going to stay.”
“When one door closes another door is open,” he continued. “I always told you guys having options is always great.”
“Maybe it’s like my Phoenix moment, you know? From the ashes, we’re reborn. So, we’re on to bigger, better stuff and walking through a new door.”
Holloway has competed twice as a lightweight. He lost an action-packed decision to Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 for the interim title. In April, the Hawaiian scored an award-worthy knockout of Justin Gaethje in the closing moments of their UFC 300 co-main event.
There is no shortage of compelling opportunities for Holloway in the lightweight division. Here are five potential opponents.
Max Holloway Has Options at Lightweight
Michael Chandler: While the ship has sailed on Conor McGregor, Holloway would be a serviceable substitute for Michael Chandler. It may lack the same appeal outside of the bubble, but it more than makes for it among devoted fans. Considering the UFC did attempt to book Holloway to fill in for McGregor at UFC 303 on short notice, we know this is a fight the promotion is interested in making.
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Charles Oliveira: A fight with “Do Bronx” sounds like the fever dream of fight fans. The technically contrasting but similarly aggressive styles of the former champions are unlikely to disappoint. The winner would be an obvious choice to face Islam Makhachev for the undisputed crown.
Dan Hooker: Dan Hooker’s three fight win streak, including the upset over Mateusz Gamrot, has seemingly resurrected a promising career that seemed to stall out. The violence potential between Holloway and the “Hangman” goes without saying.
Renato Moicano: In recent years, Renato Moicano reinvented himself as a lightweight contender after hitting a ceiling at 145. Pairing him with another featherweight defector makes sense and would likely lead to some stunning in-cage activity.
Paddy Pimblett: Paddy Pimblett silenced doubters with his domination of Bobby Green at UFC 304. The UFC could cash in its investment towards the Liverpool native with a matchup against the beloved Holloway. It could also serve as a dual litmus test for what each could offer the top of the division.
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