Max Holloway is a rare breed.
The Hawaiian all-time great looked like all hope was lost to regain his once-held Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight title after three losses to his fellow former champion, Alexander Volkanovski. That all changed at UFC 300 when Holloway returned to the Lightweight division and dispatched Justin Gaethje with arguably his greatest career performance.
Holloway, 32, picked apart the perennial 155-pound contender and former interim champion over five rounds before a maddening last-second knockout to gain the Baddest Motherf*cker (BMF) championship (watch highlights). The upset win has led Holloway back to a chance for Featherweight gold as he’ll challenge the champion, Ilia Topuria, at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, 2024. Once again, “Blessed” promises to deliver fireworks.
“Everybody thought UFC 300 was amazing. Wait until they get to see the outcome of UFC 308, it’s going to be a good one,” Holloway said on his YouTube channel (h/t MMA Fighting).
“I can’t wait,” he continued. “I’ve been going hard over the last few years trying to regain my throne. A lot of people laughed, but we’ll see who gets the last laugh come October 26.”
Should Holloway get the job done at UFC 308, not only would he become a two-time UFC champion, but he’d add the first blemish to the resume of the flawless 15-0 “Matador” Topuria. Despite having accomplished as much as he already has in his 33-fight career (26-7), the legend is taking things as seriously as ever going forward.
“Never, ever give up,” Holloway said. “A lot of people said I wouldn’t be in this position, I wouldn’t be able to be fighting for the Featherweight title again. And I’m here, and I can’t wait to get it going. Camp is just starting, we’re buckling down, and I’m excited.
“I think this fight is the most anticipated fight in all of this year,” he continued. “A lot of people were looking forward to UFC 300, especially because of with who was on that card, but being [on] UFC 308, me and Ilia, main-eventing, I think this is one of the most anticipated fights of this year and I can’t wait to go out there and show the world.”