Max Holloway’s featherweight run appears to be over.
“Blessed” recently challenged for the UFC’s 145-pound title at UFC 308 and was knocked out for the first time in his career by Ilia Topuria. While Holloway teased a move up in weight at the post-fight press conference, he has since announced he’s planning a full-time move to the lightweight division.
“Maybe this is like my phoenix moment, you know, from the ashes,” Holloway said on his YouTube channel. “We’re reborn. So we’re on to bigger, better stuff and walking through a new door, and starting a new chapter, and I’m a big believer in never say never, and the big question right now is, ‘Was that your last fight at 145?’
“You guys saw me kind of touch upon it at the press conference and I can honestly say I think I’m done with 145. Your boy, like I said, we’re only getting older. I’ve done 33 [fights], this cut was easy, bro... but it takes a toll cutting weight, period, at whatever weight you are. Like I said, I had to give up ramen for my [featherweight] 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.”
Holloway has competed at lightweight in the UFC twice, first losing a close decision to Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236 in April 2019, and earlier this year knocking out Justin Gaethje in the final second of their “BMF” title fight at UFC 300.
The 32-year-old owns many of the featherweight division’s top accolades, but for him, it’s about fan-friendly matchups, and starting a new journey in his already Hall of Fame career.
“This is a new chapter,” Holloway said. “This is where we start. This is where we begin, and I’m super excited for it. I cannot wait. Like I said, never say never, but I can honestly look you guys in the eyes and tell you guys I’m probably not ever going back to [145].
“I loved what I did, I did what I did, I did what I had to do there, I worked my way back, I clawed my way back up to the championship fight multiple times there. I was the champion, I defended at that weight, now it’s time to move on the next chapter and 155, there’s a bunch of fun fights that I cannot wait to take. We’re going to take some time off, we’re going to relax, heal, I owe my wife some downtime and some trips. So that’s all we’re going to do, but when I do make the return, it’s going to be at 155 and we are there to stay.”
