Max Holloway
Blessed
USA
No-shows UFC 326 main event
Holloway lost to Charles Oliveira via unanimous decision (45-50, 45-50, 45-50) at UFC 326 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
In his long and future Hall of Fame career we have never seen Holloway dominated to anywhere near the extent he was this evening. The best moments of Max's career came at 145 pounds. Here, at 155 pounds, he was completely outclassed by Oliveira, primarily because he was unable to keep up from a pure strength standpoint. Charles simply muscled him to the mat over and over and Holloway had zero answers. And as we all know, Oliveira is the last guy in the world you want riding you on the mat. Max deserves a ton of credit for not folding and seeing the final bell but that's literally the only positive thing you can say about this performance. Holloway's intention was to continue moving forward at lightweight but you can't help but wonder if plans will change considering how one-sided this fight was.
In his long and future Hall of Fame career we have never seen Holloway dominated to anywhere near the extent he was this evening. The best moments of Max's career came at 145 pounds. Here, at 155 pounds, he was completely outclassed by Oliveira, primarily because he was unable to keep up from a pure strength standpoint. Charles simply muscled him to the mat over and over and Holloway had zero answers. And as we all know, Oliveira is the last guy in the world you want riding you on the mat. Max deserves a ton of credit for not folding and seeing the final bell but that's literally the only positive thing you can say about this performance. Holloway's intention was to continue moving forward at lightweight but you can't help but wonder if plans will change considering how one-sided this fight was.
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Set to return in March
Holloway will fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 on March 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier in July but suffered an injury that has kept him sidelined since then. Now approaching full health, Holloway will set his sights on Oliveira for the second time in his career, as the two fighters first met back in 2015 with the former emerging victorious.
Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier in July but suffered an injury that has kept him sidelined since then. Now approaching full health, Holloway will set his sights on Oliveira for the second time in his career, as the two fighters first met back in 2015 with the former emerging victorious.
Out for extended period
Holloway is expected to be sidelined until next year, per MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Holloway suffered what he described as a "stupid injury" during his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. He plans to meet with specialists and doctors in the coming weeks to determine the full extent of the issue, but believes it was likely his final fight of 2025. The 33-year-old lightweight will focus on recovery as he looks ahead to what's next in 2026.
Holloway suffered what he described as a "stupid injury" during his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. He plans to meet with specialists and doctors in the coming weeks to determine the full extent of the issue, but believes it was likely his final fight of 2025. The 33-year-old lightweight will focus on recovery as he looks ahead to what's next in 2026.
Gets revenge on Dustin Poirier
Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
Holloway gets revenge on Poirier in what was the final fight of the latter's storied career. Dustin defeated Max when the two fought back in February 2012 (Holloway's first fight with the UFC) and April 2019. This was another tightly-contested affair, but Max was able to wear down Dustin with his trademark volume. He outlanded Poirier in every round, closing with a 198-109 edge in significant strikes landed. Max was knocked down late in Round 2, but rebounded and was never in true danger at any point the rest of the way. Holloway is 33 years old and has been in countless wars over the years, but his hand speed and elusiveness remain remarkable. A legend at featherweight, Holloway seems committed to giving it an extended run at lightweight. At 5-foot-11 with a 69-inch reach, Max has the size and length to compete at the higher weight class.
Holloway gets revenge on Poirier in what was the final fight of the latter's storied career. Dustin defeated Max when the two fought back in February 2012 (Holloway's first fight with the UFC) and April 2019. This was another tightly-contested affair, but Max was able to wear down Dustin with his trademark volume. He outlanded Poirier in every round, closing with a 198-109 edge in significant strikes landed. Max was knocked down late in Round 2, but rebounded and was never in true danger at any point the rest of the way. Holloway is 33 years old and has been in countless wars over the years, but his hand speed and elusiveness remain remarkable. A legend at featherweight, Holloway seems committed to giving it an extended run at lightweight. At 5-foot-11 with a 69-inch reach, Max has the size and length to compete at the higher weight class.
Taking on Poirier
Holloway will take on Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout at a UFC event on July 19 in New Orleans, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
This will be Poirier's last fight, and the two will square off for the BMF title currently held by Holloway. Both fighters have had long, remarkable careers and both sit at a UFC record of 22-8. What's more, both are coming off losses in their last bouts, with Holloway losing to Illia Topuria back in October.
This will be Poirier's last fight, and the two will square off for the BMF title currently held by Holloway. Both fighters have had long, remarkable careers and both sit at a UFC record of 22-8. What's more, both are coming off losses in their last bouts, with Holloway losing to Illia Topuria back in October.
Comes up short in title quest
Holloway came up short in his quest to regain the UFC Featherweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Ilia Topuria via KO (punches) at 1:34 of Round 3 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
It's the first knockout loss in Holloway's storied and future Hall of Fame career. Up until the end, Max did a pretty good job of avoiding Topuria's power shots. He ate too many leg kicks, but he was able to damage the champion with his trademark volume on the feet. Max also defended well on the mat despite giving up a pair of Round 1 takedowns. Everything changed early in Round 3 when one huge blow left him wobbled. Holloway didn't go down right away, but you could tell he was in huge trouble. Topuria floored the gas pedal and was able to land a knockdown moments later. Referee Marc Goddard was stepping in after a few follow-up shots. As great as Holloway has been in the past, he'll be 33 years of age this coming December, and there's a real chance this was his final chance to regain UFC gold. Max defeated Justin Gaethje at lightweight in his previous bout in April, so perhaps he'll explore future matchups at 155 pounds.
It's the first knockout loss in Holloway's storied and future Hall of Fame career. Up until the end, Max did a pretty good job of avoiding Topuria's power shots. He ate too many leg kicks, but he was able to damage the champion with his trademark volume on the feet. Max also defended well on the mat despite giving up a pair of Round 1 takedowns. Everything changed early in Round 3 when one huge blow left him wobbled. Holloway didn't go down right away, but you could tell he was in huge trouble. Topuria floored the gas pedal and was able to land a knockdown moments later. Referee Marc Goddard was stepping in after a few follow-up shots. As great as Holloway has been in the past, he'll be 33 years of age this coming December, and there's a real chance this was his final chance to regain UFC gold. Max defeated Justin Gaethje at lightweight in his previous bout in April, so perhaps he'll explore future matchups at 155 pounds.