Max Holloway is set to fight Ilia Topuria for the undisputed featherweight title this Saturday at UFC 308. The rivalry between Holloway and Topuria has reached its peak, adding extra tension to an already highly-anticipated matchup. Adding fuel to the fire, the ‘Blessed’ has now thrown a subtle jab at Islam Makhachev, roping in the lightweight champion into the conversation.
Holloway’s historic performance at UFC 300 saw him defeat Justin Gaethje, who would have faced Makhachev next. After the victory, the Hawaiian star took the opportunity to challenge the Dagestani for a BMF vs. lightweight title fight. The fight never materialized, and the former featherweight champion made certain remarks about it.
Islam never, ever wanted to fight me, even when I was saying I was coming up to (155)…. But then recently his tone changed where he was like, Oh yeah, if I can get past Topuria, he’d be open to fight me.
Max Holloway via Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel
Makhachev never entertained the idea of fighting Holloway and wanted to clean his division first. Since then, the UFC lightweight champion has defended his title against Dustin Poirier in a grueling fight at UFC 302. The Dagestani fighter aims to defend his lightweight title against top lightweight Arman Tsarukyan in early 2025.
Max Holloway says he’d be down to fight Islam Makhachev after Ilia Topuria, and says Islam never wanted to fight him 👀
“They call Islam the Khabib 2.0, so I want all the taste, I want all the smoke…
Islam never ever wanted to fight me… but then recently his tone changed.”… pic.twitter.com/yxS2n4o0Gd
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 22, 2024
Makhachev has continued Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s legacy in the UFC lightweight division with his dominant performances. Max Holloway has expressed that facing Makhachev would give him a chance to reclaim the missed opportunity to fight Nurmagomedov at UFC 223. He believes that defeating Makhachev would be a significant milestone in cementing his own UFC legacy.
Why Max Holloway didn’t fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223?
UFC 223 was originally scheduled between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. However, ‘El Cucuy’ got injured, and the promotion asked Holloway to become a last-minute replacement. Despite the short notice, the featherweight veteran showed great confidence in the presser. He expressed his belief that he could defeat the undefeated ‘Eagle.’
The exchanges between the fighters still remain one of the most interesting examples of trash-talking in Holloway’s career. However, because of health and safety concerns, NYSAC declared Holloway unfit to continue weight loss just days before the bout. As a result, fight fans were deprived of an incredible MMA fight.
I was freaking cutting weight. They didn’t like the way I looked and they said that he don’t look good. I mean how you supposed to look when you’re cutting weight. Pretty sure you are supposed to look like death.
Max Holloway via FLAGRANT
After Holloway’s withdrawal, Al Iaquinta ultimately stepped in to face Nurmagomedov, though he lost by unanimous decision. A potential fight with Islam Makhachev could give Holloway a sense of what it might have been like to face Nurmagomedov. However, his immediate focus is UFC 308. Going up against Ilia Topuria won’t be an easy task for the Hawaiian legend.
