Max Holloway Sets Sight on Ilia Topuria Rematch After Nightmare First Fight

UFC BMF champion Max Holloway vows to avenge UFC 308 loss against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria after UFC 326.

Max Holloway Sets Sight on Ilia Topuria Rematch After Nightmare First Fight

Max Holloway wants to rematch Ilia Topuria (via Bloody Elbow, MMA Mania)

In Short
  • Max Holloway aims for a rematch with Ilia Topuria after suffering his first knockout loss at UFC 308.
  • He is set to defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, showcasing confidence in his grappling skills.
  • Topuria will face Justin Gaethje for the interim title, while Holloway focuses on his upcoming fight.

Max Holloway has been a UFC mainstay for over a decade, facing top fighters across the featherweight and lightweight divisions. He earned three featherweight title defenses, showing his striking skill and consistency.  At 34, Holloway is set to face Charles Oliveira for his second BMF title defense. Even with this fight approaching, he already has detailed plans mapped out to pursue official divisional gold.

Holloway is widely regarded as one of the best boxers in the UFC, with his striking on full display against Calvin Kattar.  At UFC 231, he also helped Brian Ortega with technical adjustments during their fight, reinforcing his boxing skills. The Hawaiian native is equally known for his durability, a trademark throughout his career. This mix of skill and toughness has consistently produced entertaining fights.

Holloway’s durability was tested many times throughout his 14‑year career, but he was never knocked out until UFC 308. His bout against Ilia Topuria saw him knocked out cold for the first time, marking a rare setback for the Hawaiian. He was recently asked about a potential unification bout between Topuria and Justin Gaethje, and instead revealed his plans to avenge the loss to the Georgian star.

If I had my choice, I want to rematch Ilia 100%. He did what he did, he’s the first man that did what he did to me, and no one else could. So I got to get that one back. You know me and me and Gaethje have history and I know Gaethje wants to get that one back. That would be a fun fight also. But hey, may the best man win and we will see.

At UFC 308 on October 26, 2024, Holloway challenged Topuria for the UFC featherweight title in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Topuria landed a right hand and followed with a left hook that knocked Holloway out at 1:34 of the third round, becoming the first fighter to stop him in his 14-year-long UFC career. The result added to Topuria’s undefeated record and marked a notable chapter in both fighters’ competitive histories.

Holloway also addressed the possibility of giving Gaethje a rematch, referencing their previous encounter at UFC 300. In that fight, he delivered a showstopping knockout over ‘The Highlight’ in the final second of the bout. The knockout shocked the MMA world, as the Hawaiian UFC veteran had been ahead on the scorecards yet still chose to do his signature stand and trade with Gaethje in the last 10 seconds.

Ilia Topuria will face Justin Gaethje after the latter won the interim title at UFC 324, setting up his first title defense. He is returning to the Octagon following a prolonged layoff linked to legal matters surrounding his separation from his wife. However, there is no official date has been announced for the unification fight. In the meantime, Max Holloway is focused on his upcoming second BMF title defense at UFC 326.

Max Holloway brushes off major worry going into UFC 326 title defense

Max Holloway has faced some of the UFC’s top fighters throughout his career, including grapplers with elite submission skills. He competed against Brian Ortega, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, in a featherweight title bout. Holloway’s striking and defensive grappling helped him neutralize Ortega’s submission attempts. He has also faced other skilled grapplers, building experience against BJJ specialists.

Max Holloway
Max Holloway (via talkSport)

Heading into UFC 326, Holloway is set to face Charles Oliveira, who holds the most submission wins in UFC history. Oliveira is a dangerous opponent, particularly for fighters without a strong ground game. Despite his reputation, Holloway has stated he is not worried about Oliveira’s BJJ. He remains confident in his own grappling and overall MMA skills.

A lot of people keep talking about my jiu-jitsu, so maybe I’ll show something in this one ,who knows. No, no, I’m a brown belt (received it in February 2021). I was supposed to take my black belt test this year, but I missed it because of injuries. Our BJJ coach, Pedro Sauer, doesn’t just hand out black belts, he wants us to pass an exam. I love gi jiu-jitsu, I like it more than no-gi. Everyone asks: ‘Why? You’re an MMA fighter.’ Brother, if you can’t hold me down on the ground in the gi, you definitely won’t be able to do it in no-gi.

Max Holloway via Ag Fight

Some fighters have found ways to counter Oliveira’s grappling, exploiting openings in his ground game. Cub Swanson knocked him out at UFC 152 without relying on jiu-jitsu, stopping him before grappling became a factor. This shows Charles Oliveira’s submission threat is not absolute and Max Holloway can use strategic pressure and strong stand-up to neutralize parts of Do Bronx’s game.

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