Max Holloway might need fought his final struggle at 145 kilos.
The previous featherweight champion had an opportunity to regain that title Saturday within the UFC 308 principal occasion, however he as a substitute suffered the primary knockout lack of his storied profession as he was defeated within the third spherical by Ilia Topuria.
Solely two featherweights have scored wins over Holloway up to now decade, Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski, and Volkanovski was unable to complete Holloway regardless of the 2 battling for 75 minutes throughout three title fights. “Blessed” gave his tackle the stunning end on the night’s post-fight press convention.
“I felt nice,” Holloway mentioned. “I used to be discovering my groove. Noticed it on the scoreboards after, I used to be type of stunned, I assumed I had no less than one in all them. The primary spherical I do know he took me down and on the finish he had that takedown so, it’s what it’s, I felt good. Exhibiting off my fingers, I used to be touchdown, I used to be being quick, I believe I had him stunned in there. Like I mentioned, I used to be doing good till I wasn’t.”
“The primary couple of rounds he landed a few left hooks,” Holloway added. “He took me down, he didn’t really feel too robust, and you recognize, recreation of inches. Recreation of inches. He landed one thing that I discovered myself wanting up from the bottom.”
One factor Holloway wouldn’t do is blame the loss on a lower all the way down to featherweight after competing at 155 kilos in his most up-to-date bout. Holloway fought at light-weight in his most up-to-date struggle at UFC 300 this previous April, when he gained the “BMF” title in highlight-reel style after capping off a dominant efficiency towards Justin Gaethje with a last-second knockout.
Even with the 145-pound weight lower nonetheless being manageable, Holloway thinks a return to light-weight might make sense going ahead.
“I had the very best ‘45 lower right here, however what else is there to do?” Holloway mentioned. “I had a few instances to reclaim [the featherweight title], new guys arising, that might be enjoyable, however I believe ‘55 appears extra enjoyable as combating simply extra the caliber, everybody there and the names there, it will look actually thrilling to place my title within the combine.”
Holloway didn’t say who he’d wish to struggle at light-weight (when a 3rd struggle with Dustin Poirier was recommended, Holloway joked that he’d wish to get one again however hasn’t had a lot luck towards opponents who’ve already overwhelmed him twice), however there are many fan-friendly matchups that make sense for the 32-year-old veteran.
No matter weight Holloway reveals up at subsequent, he doesn’t anticipate to struggle once more till mid-2025.
“We’ll sit down with the group, loosen up, there’s nothing wanted to be speeding again proper now,” Holloway mentioned. “In all probability attempt to come again summer time, massive July card in Vegas, do one thing, see what occurs. [The 155-pound division] appears actually good proper now.”
