“He’s known for fighting 145-ers…” Max Holloway takes a sly jibe at Islam Makhachev to stir drama around lightweight title

Max Holloway and Islam Makhachev have started to have heated conversation. Holloway made a sly remark after making weight ahead of UFC 300.

“He’s known for fighting 145-ers…” Max Holloway takes a sly jibe at Islam Makhachev to stir drama around lightweight title

Max Holloway takes a subtle jab at Islam Makhachev (via Imago)

UFC 300 is right around the corner, with emotions flaring and tensions flaring high. It looks like there’s some lightweight title drama brewing, and Max Holloway is the one stirring the pot. The former featherweight champ had a few choice words for current lightweight king, Islam Makhachev.

Max Holloway is not one to shy away from revealing his intentions. He was asked about his future in the lightweight division if he defeated Justin Gaethje. This win could propel him to a contender status in the crowded lightweight title picture. The Hawaiian fighter could not help but diss Makhachev. 

The lightweight champion is there. At the end of the day, he [Islam Makhachev] is known for only fighting [145ers] so.
Max Holloway via the UFC 300 weigh-in show
YouTube video

Holloway threw some subtle shade at Islam Makhachev, hinting that the Russian champ liked to pick on smaller guys. It’s no secret that Makhachev has been dominant at 155 pounds, racking up win after win. His last two wins, however, did come against the former featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway seemed to think the champ was avoiding some of the bigger, tougher lightweights. He was not afraid to call him out on it.

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Holloway’s got some business to take care of first. He’s got a BMF title shot against Justin Gathje coming up at UFC 300. But once he’s done handling that, who knows? Maybe he’ll finally get to face the 155-pound champion. So keep an eye out, folks. This Holloway-Makhachev beef might just be the start of something big. 

Max Holloway fires back at Islam Makhachev’s latest tweet

It looks like the war of words between Max Holloway and Islam Makhachev is heating up ahead of UFC 300. Makhachev recently took a swipe at Holloway’s activity levels in the past few years. Holloway immediately fired back with a fiery response for the lightweight champ.

Max Holloway latest reply to Islam Makhachev
Max Holloway’s latest reply to Islam Makhachev (via MMA Fighting)

Holloway wasn’t about to just take the dig by Makhachev lying down. He clapped back with a simple yet savage tweet. Holloway basically accused Makhachev of only seeing the surface-level stuff and not digging deeper into what he was really saying.

Never said you weren't active. I simply said you should have took the Feb fight if you wanted to keep busy. Don't just read headlines, champ.
Max Holloway via X

This drama started when Holloway called out Makhachev for only fighting when it was convenient for him. The featherweight legend said Makhachev should have taken a fight with Justin Gaethje in February. He compared this to Alexander Volkanovski taking the fight against Ilia Topuria.

But Makhachev wasn’t having it. He fired back, pointing out that he’s fought seven times since 2021, while Holloway has only had five fights in that same stretch. However, that was not what Holloway insinuated. His comments hinted that the UFC would not have booked a fight between him and Gaethje had Makhachev fought ‘The Highlight’ in February. It looks like the war of words might not end anytime soon.

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