Max Holloway Takes a Dig at Aljamain Sterling “Talking Madness” That He Pulled Punches During UFC 318

Aljamain Sterling casts wary eye on lightweight Max Holloway’s inability to finish Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 PPV BMF fight; gets an answer for it.

Max Holloway Takes a Dig at Aljamain Sterling “Talking Madness” That He Pulled Punches During UFC 318

Max Holloway responds to claims of pulling punches at UFC 318 (Source: X)

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A few weeks removed from the UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 BMF title fight, Max Holloway has been reflecting on his last performance. The Hawaiian fighter made history as the first-ever champ with a successful defense of the BMF belt. He also became the only fighter to hand Dustin Poirier back-to-back losses in his 32-fight UFC run.

However, in also a first, the gritty Max Holloway is now catching strays of maybe having pulled his punches. The UFC 318 PPV card at Smoothie King Center in Louisiana, was Poirier’s last dance on home turf. ‘Blessed’ was extra respectful in the lead-up until the media day, given the implications of a hometown farewell.

Then, there’s also the fact that in his last 155-pound ballot fight, Holloway executed a buzzer-beater KOTY contender affair. In a gesture now-thrice-made famous, Holloway went swinging and gave it his all, which aptly describes the BMF moniker. Aljamain Sterling has thus billed Holloway could have finished Poirier very early if he wanted to, but pulled back, but the Hawaiian disagreed.

I’m gonna address this, because there are people talking madness saying that I went easy on Dustin in the first round after dropping him…and that I let him off the hook because I didn’t want his retirement fight to go that quick…In my mind I hit him and I’m like, ‘Oh my god we’re getting out of here in one round let’s go’, but Dustin is strong as nails. I put it on him, I kept hitting him, and he just wouldn’t go away, his name is ‘The Diamond’ for a reason.

Max Holloway on his Official YT Channel | Exclusive Post UFC 318 Interview (@maxholloway)

In Round 1, ‘Blessed’ dropped the former interim lightweight champion with a well-timed combination of punches and pounced on him fence-side. But despite repeated efforts, it didn’t happen, and the fight went the distance. There were expectations of a bloody back-and-forth, but while both had their success, this wasn’t like that.

Sterling’s claims are further supported by Poirier’s assertion that Holloway declared he was out after being stunned in Round 2. A guillotine choke submission was nearly in the books after the BMF champion was dropped with a massive shot to the side of Holloway’s head.

This led to more online speculation on fan forums that Holloway might have laxed on the gas pedal out a bit. However, the durability of ‘The Diamond’ is something every hardcore MMA fans will know about. After UFC 318, Poirier is now reverting attention to his desk duties full time, away from tireless wars.

The fight world now awaits news of the next lightweight or BMF title fight with UFC CEO Dana White saying a Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria 2 could very well be in the future. That’ll have to wait, though, as unlike the ex-UFC Louisiana lightweight, Holloway isn’t also made of diamond and bruises easy.

Max Holloway gives brutal return update due to injury

Although he emerged relatively unscathed from his bout with Poirier, Max Holloway has revealed that he will have to sit out for a while. The Hawaiian fighter improved to 2-1 in active UFC 155-pound competition after UFC 318, along with logging 8:27:43 fight time, which is the second-best fight time win record.

'Stupid' injury pushes Max Holloway return to 2026
‘Stupid’ injury pushes Max Holloway return to 2026 (Source: X)

After Poirier, Max Holloway now also boasts domination over two 155-pound former top contenders and makes the case as a title challenger himself. ‘Blessed’ had hoped to return before the end of the year, perhaps at the famous MSG PPV slot, and potentially fight Topuria or Charles Oliveira. However, he would probably not be in competition again in 2025 due to a hand injury he suffered during the fight.

My right hand still hurts [after]…f you have hopes of me fighting before the end of the year it’s probably not gonna happen. I’m seeing a specialist some time this week and I already met with my doctor and now I’ve got to meet a specialist but things are not looking up for me fighting one more time this year; What’s next, I couldn’t tell you, this stupid injury has pushed things back…

Max Holloway further said

Barring a few other names, #2 lightweight Arman Tsarukyan is backed by most to be the legit top contender. However, CEO White has said No.4-ranking lightweight Holloway makes a good case to consider a rematch against the newly crowned champ.

Moreover, the UFC boss reserves making sanctions for Tsarukyan given his UFC 311 pullout that he still needs to work through. So, when Holloway does recover, he can actually tread ahead on title contention once more.

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