After ‘Last Dance’, Dustin Poirier Believes Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Rematch Could Play Out Differently

Dustin Poirier presents a tune-up for Max Holloway in approach vs. Ilia Topuria in a PPV title rematch, that can happen after UFC 318 win.

After ‘Last Dance’, Dustin Poirier Believes Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Rematch Could Play Out Differently

Dustin Poirier pitches in on potential Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway rematch (Source: X)

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Reigning BMF Champ Max Holloway is in a good spot after his UFC 318 PPV main event win over Dustin Poirier. Poirier was a UFC 155-pound title challenger in his previous bid, 13 months ago. Holloway’s previous-to-previous bout to that was also one contested at the 155-pound mark with a win over a then-top contender. So, it gives him good traction against newly crowned champ Ilia Topuria.

This is a straight-cut logic that other analysts and peers have presented, too. Holloway lost an attempt at Ilia Topuria’s gold at UFC 308 last autumn. Now, ‘El Matador’ has relinquished for a move up and grabbed gold again, and it’s a unique pocket of opportunity. So they have a substantial history as well.

The Hawaiian superstar was keen on facing the winner of the UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira PPV main event. Now, the No.4-ranked lightweight Max Holloway could be grappling with the implications of a title shot soon.

In a length of 35 fights, Topuria was the only one to knock him out. But if UFC 318 presented anything at all, it’s that Holloway’s durability at 155 remains a stout 10/10. So, having faced him again for a third time, Dustin Poirier thinks there’s a chance Holloway could turn things around with some adjustments, against Topuria.

I think Max would have to change up his approach to the fight. [Maybe, like] …Use his lateral footwork like he did with me, stay on the bike, use his length…But, man, if Ilia lands on anybody from 145 to 170, if he lands clean, I think he puts [everyone] out.

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Holloway and Topuria had a competitive fight at 145lbs, and Topuria beat Dustin Poirier to the punch in dropping the ‘Blessed’ fighter. There were arguments to be made that Justin Gaethje (almost) knocked him down, but it didn’t register as a lateral ‘knock-down’ against the surface.

As per the UFC stats, this was the first documented knockdown on Holloway — meaning Poirier is the second combatant to officially down Holloway. ‘The Diamond’ shocked him in Round 2 of their BMF PPV title fight and transitioned to a guillotine hold right after. Hence, even so, the fighter thinks Holloway will have his hands full with the Spaniard despite the consensus urge to make adjustments.

Lateral slipping, bulk of dexterity, a good use of kicks, unlike Topuria himself: check. Holloway has also proven that he makes a better cut at 155 pounds, with a one-of-one KOTY contender and going the distance with Poirier. However, Topuria is a crisp power-puncher with a buff density in his bones like a competition 170-pounder.

While Dustin Poirier isn’t counting him or his hard chin out, Holloway is poised to have a tough fight on his hands. It is one that he can turn around in a possible rematch with further improvements. Would he get the chance, though?

BMF title talks ramp up but one name thinks Ilia Topuria isn’t the real one to challenge it

Another dynamic playing in a Max Holloway vs. Topuria PPV title rematch is the BMF angle. For whatever number of reasons and behind-the-scenes happenstance, Ilia Topuria didn’t get the push for UFC execs and crew to grab the silver during his UFC 308 PPV headliner.

Ilia Topuria billed not 'lineal' challenger for Max Holloway's BMF
Ilia Topuria billed not ‘lineal’ challenger for Max Holloway’s BMF (Source: X)

That didn’t stop Topuria from one-upping Holloway as the only one to knock him out and call himself the ‘real’ BMF. As always, the cocky 17-0 fighter has once again inserted himself into a title talk and driven up the bargain just like that.

Topuria and his one-of-a-kind triple-KO title campaign is one of the best streaks in modern times, inclusive of Holloway. He is historically the only fighter to make it to two-weight champ status on undefeated stats. However, current 170-pound king Jack Della Maddalena has staked his claims as the ‘real’ lineal BMF, not Topuria.

Why? Because the status of the BMF never left the welterweight class. After the inaugural BMF belt was won by Jorge Masvidal in 2019, ‘Gamebred ‘ has had four more non-title ballot fights in the Octagon without the BMF belt being contested. It was recommissioned for UFC 291 PPV co-main at lightweight.

Holloway fought for it at 155lbs and defended it, but ‘JDM’ has touted a ‘lineal‘ approach to holding a belt. He beat the champ at 170lbs and is now champ, where the BMF originated but never got contested. This was on the IG Story of the Australian champion, where he reposted Topuria’s message below saying the belt was his.

As such, both Holloway and Topuria are placing themselves on each other’s tracks. But there’s no word or a conceptual pattern of understanding as to what title or titles they’ll fight for next. The most-coveted lightweight undisputed gold and/or BMF? Time will tell.


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