Max Holloway might need fought his final combat at 145 kilos.
The previous featherweight champion had an opportunity to regain that title Saturday within the UFC 308 primary occasion, however he as an alternative 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 previously 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 shocking end on the night’s post-fight press convention.
“I felt nice,” Holloway stated. “I used to be discovering my groove. Noticed it on the scoreboards after, I used to be form of stunned, I believed I had a minimum of 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. Displaying off my arms, I used to be touchdown, I used to be being quick, I believe I had him stunned in there. Like I stated, 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 , sport of inches. Recreation of inches. He landed one thing that I discovered myself trying 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 combat at UFC 300 this previous April, when he gained the “BMF” title in highlight-reel trend after capping off a dominant efficiency in opposition to Justin Gaethje with a last-second knockout.
Even with the 145-pound weight lower nonetheless being manageable, Holloway thinks a return to light-weight may make sense going ahead.
“I had the most effective ‘45 lower right here, however what else is there to do?” Holloway stated. “I had a few occasions to reclaim [the featherweight title], new guys developing, that might be enjoyable, however I believe ‘55 seems to be extra enjoyable as preventing simply extra the caliber, everybody there and the names there, it might look actually thrilling to place my identify within the combine.”
Holloway didn’t say who he’d wish to combat at light-weight (when a 3rd combat with Dustin Poirier was prompt, Holloway joked that he’d wish to get one again however hasn’t had a lot luck in opposition to opponents who’ve already crushed him twice), however there are many fan-friendly matchups that make sense for the 32-year-old veteran.
No matter weight Holloway exhibits up at subsequent, he doesn’t anticipate to combat once more till mid-2025.
“We’ll sit down with the workforce, loosen up, there’s nothing wanted to be speeding again proper now,” Holloway stated. “In all probability attempt to come again summer season, huge July card in Vegas, do one thing, see what occurs. [The 155-pound division] seems to be actually good proper now.”
