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Max Holloway plans UFC lightweight move after winning another featherweight title: ‘Why not?’

Former featherweight champion, Max Holloway has confirmed he will make a move to the UFC’s lightweight division before calling time on his Octagon tenure, however, plans to make the move when he becomes featherweight titleholder again. Holloway, a former undisputed featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC Fight Night Kansas City earlier […]

Holloway, a former undisputed featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC Fight Night Kansas City earlier this month against the surging, Arnold Allen – handing the Ipswich native his first promotional loss in a comprehensive unanimous decision victory.

Retaining his rank as the #2 rated featherweight in the promotion’s ranks, Holloway has offered to fight former two-time title challenger, Chan Sung Jung later this year – with the South Korean native welcoming a potential showdown ahead of a return to Sydney, Australia for the organization later this year.

Max Holloway still planning future lightweight move

Confirming plans to make a lightweight return following a brief interim title rematch with Dustin Poirier back in 2019, Holloway claimed he would consider a return to 155lbs, after he lands a featherweight championship again, firstly.

“It’s always good to go up a weight class with a belt, so that’s the plan,” Max Holloway told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “And if they [the UFC] thought so – that maybe we couldn’t do a fourth [fight] with Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) – I think they would’ve really pressed the issue with us and told us, ‘Look, you’ve got to go.’ But, we’re here, they’re feeding me contenders. So at the end of the day, we’re going to just keep knocking them down.”

“One-hundred percent,” Max Holloway said of a lightweight move. “Why not? I mean, why not? We’ll see what happens with [Volkanovski] when they’re (Volkanovski and Yair Rodríguez] fighting in July now with Yair. I think a lot of people are counting out Yair. I think it’s going to be a much more interesting fight than a lot of people think it is. We get to be a fan that night, so I’m excited.”

Max Holloway reveals he has reintroduced sparring as part of his training following UFC Kansas City win

Former UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway stated that he has now reincorporated sparring back into training. Just under two weeks ago, Holloway earned yet another impressive victory over a rising featherweight contender. ‘Blessed’ took on surging UK prospect Arnold Allen, ultimately proving too much for Allen and would outpoint the Englishman over five rounds. While […]

Former UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway stated that he has now reincorporated sparring back into training.

Just under two weeks ago, Holloway earned yet another impressive victory over a rising featherweight contender. ‘Blessed’ took on surging UK prospect Arnold Allen, ultimately proving too much for Allen and would outpoint the Englishman over five rounds.

While the win further cemented Holloway as the second-best 145er’ in the world, it also added to the Hawaii native’s record in both strikes landed and strikes absorbed. While Holloway has landed a total of 3122 significant strikes, over 1300 more than Frankie Edgar who is in second, Holloway has also been hit with more than 1,300.

While this is certainly a lot, Holloway’s chin is yet to crack and this could be due to the fact, a few years ago he announced that he no longer sparred in his camps. This first started during the covid-19 pandemic when Holloway would train via Zoom, and still picked up impressive wins over Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez.

Max Holloway reverses sparring decision

Talking on The MMA Hour, Holloway revealed that began sparring again, but only out of camp.

“I spar outside of camp, so I don’t spar inside of camp,” said Holloway. “Most of my injuries came from sparring, and it would be when I was getting scrawny and stuff. Half the time they would give me this look and [my opponent] would mix it up in the fight.” (H/T MMANews)

Holloway now finds himself in a difficult position, having lost three fights to current champion Alexander Volkanovski, but seems to also be a step ahead of the other contenders in the division.

Max Holloway taking on the MMA Hour following his win over Arnold Allen

What would you like to see Max Holloway do next?

Editorial – UFC Kansas City: What’s Next – 6 great fights to make after this weekend’s action in Missouri

UFC Kansas City was packed full of great fights, with some big, ranking-impacting results. Here are six fights to make after this weekend.

UFC Kansas City was Max Holloway’s night. ‘Blessed’ came out of this weekend’s affairs as the King of Kansas City. After a gruelling affair against Englishman, Arnold Allen, who was previously unbeaten in the UFC, the Hawaaian edged the contender on the scorecards. It should be noted, however, that it was far by less than ‘Blessed’s’ usual runaway victories. Some fans are even asserting that it is Allen who was the rightful winner, showing the competitive nature of the enthralling bout.

In this piece, we look at potential match-ups for some of the big winners, and unfortunate losers that fought this weekend.

UFC Kansas City post-fight matchmaking

Max Holloway

UFC Kansas City was a blessing in disguise for ‘Blessed’.

The former long-reigning king of the division showed that just because he can’t quite get the strap off of Alexander Volkanovski’s waist, that doesn’t make him anyone’s stepping stone. Arnold Allen gave him all that he could handle, but it was the vintage volume from Holloway that sealed his victory.

“Blessed” is now calling for a fight with ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan-Sung Jung. This makes little sense rankings-wise, but with the losses to Volkanovski, Holloway has very little in the way of fresh opponents.

Allen is a better win than ‘The Korean Zombie’ these days, so this would be more fan service than anything else. What could be guaranteed is that the fight would be one for the ages. Former foe Volkanovski is calling for Holloway to make the move to lightweight, although his previous bout against Poirier at 155 may be discouraging.

Elsewhere, the winner of Josh Emmett vs Ilia Topuria could be another option, with the winner surely forcing Volkanovski to fight them.

Arnold Allen

The eight-year, ten-fight unbeaten streak inside the UFC has come to an end for Arnold Allen. He can hold his head high though, having had an extremely competitive fight against one of the very best fighters the division has ever seen.

Periods of low-volume striking probably cost the Englishman, who came on strong in the fifth round, but it was too little, too late. It showed many watching that although he may not be number one yet, Allen is most certainly in the top five featherweights in the company.

A rematch with Calvin Kattar would make sense, although he may be out til early 2024, with an injury from their original fight. In the meantime, Brian Ortega appears to be the logical choice. Ranked third and fourth respectively, this could headline, or co-main event the UFC Fight Night heading to London in July.

Edson Barboza

Edson Barboza is one of the deadliest strikers to ever grace the octagon, and once again at UFC Kansas City, it was the ever-lethal knees of the Brazillian that ended the bout. Looking as comfortable as he ever has, he peppered his opponent Billy Quarantillo with hard, stiff kicks. For the closing sequence, Barboza deployed a knee, with his back to the cage, and rendered “Billy Q” defenseless.

At 37, he is no spring chicken. He has fought most of the divisions elite, which often leaves just dangerous newcomers. Sodiq Yusuff is the name that makes the most sense. It would be an exciting match-up that would force Yusuff to sink or swim, and Barboza a chance to show, once again, that he is lethal to any fighter at 145lbs.

Ion Cutelaba

The UFC’s resident madman came out on top this weekend. Former heavyweight Tanner Boser felt the power of the Moldovan madman at UFC Kansas City as he broke a three-fight loss streak by way of knockout by way of TKO in the first round, using his fists frantically to pound Boser to the canvas.

Modestas Bukauskas makes sense and should be a fun affair between two of Europe’s premier 205-pounders. Bukauskas is currently on a three-fight win streak, with his most recent being over Tyson Pedro. The pairing makes sense, possibly on the UFC London card that is upcoming.

Pedro Munhoz

The foil for many an up-and-comer, Pedro Munhoz delivered once again this weekend, much to the disappointment of Chris Gutierrez. After dropping his opponent in the first round, Munhoz looked like the better fighter in the pairing. Despite his streaky form on the record books, Munhoz is still in the realms of the elite.

Umar Nurmagomedov would be interesting. The 16-0 prospect needs a test of this magnitude, and Munhoz is exactly the type of fighter to let us know what the young Russian is made of.

Bill Algeo

Bill Algeo gave a good account of himself in Kansas City, well at least inside the cage.

Having impressively submitted TJ Brown in the second round with a rear-naked choke, he unleashed his inner Colby Covington. After removing his gloves, and appearing to be about to retire, Algeo then cut a promo on the crowd in attendance at UFC Kansas City, stating :

“Listen, I would never retire in a dump like Kansas City,” Algeo told the crowd at T-Mobile Center. “I look around here and all I see is a bunch of Croc-wearing’, Uber Eats drivin’, Bud Light drinkin’ … sons of guns. I ain’t never retiring! Woo!”

Taking the WWE merger to heart, Algeo matches up well with recent 145lb debutant Jack Shore, in what would be a stiff test for both men.

Clay Guida looks to have his next bout lined up already, with Dana White reportedly unhappy at the old-timer’s fake retirement. Lucie Pudilová will be fighting the Kansas City judges, as some truly awful judging handed her an eighth professional loss.

Who do you think Max Holloway should take on next?

Alexander Volkanovski urges Max Holloway to make lightweight move: ‘Stop beating up my contenders’

Undisputed UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has backed former division titleholder and opponent, Max Holloway to consider a move to the lightweight pile, calling for him to stop “beating up” contenders at 145lbs. Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight gold holder, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February of this year in Perth, Australia – […]

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight gold holder, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February of this year in Perth, Australia – suffering his first promotional loss in a unanimous decision defeat to lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.

Prior to that, New South Wales native, Volkanovski co-headlined UFC 276 back in July of last year against Holloway, handing the Hawaiian a third loss in the pair’s trilogy fight, cementing his status as featherweight kingpin.

Expected to return to the Octagon at International Fight Week in July at UFC 290, Volkanovski is targeted to clash with interim featherweight champion, Yair Rodríguez in a championship unification fight.

Alexander Volkanovski praises Max Holloway following UFC Kansas City win

Sharing his thoughts on Holloway’s recent UFC Fight Night Kansas City victory over the surging, Arnold Allen over the weekend, Volkanovski failed to rule out a fourth fight with the former champion in the future, however, urged him to stop taking out contenders at featherweight.

“I remember saying to him (Max Holloway) after the last fight, I just said to him, ‘Get out of my division. Stop beating up my contenders,” Alexander Volkanovski told The Mac Life during a recent interview. “I’m saying stuff like that to him. A lot of people are gonna sit there, before last [Saturday] night, ‘Oh, he’s fallen off’ and all this stuff. Nah, it’s not that. Trust me. Wait until he fights again and you’re gonna forget about that the next time.”

“He proved it last night (against Arnold Allen), he looked great,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “You feel bad too, in that situation, like, ‘Why does that guy gotta be here and be in my damn division?’ Obviously, Max is a cool dude, as well, great fighter. It’s a tricky situation for Max, that’s for sure, but you never know.”

As mentioned previously, Holloway headlined UFC Kansas City against Ipswich native, Allen, landing a unanimous judging victory – before noting his interest in fighting former two-time title challenger, Chan Sung Jung in a rumored return to Australia for the organization.

Max Holloway calls for Chan Sung Jung clash at rumored UFC Australia event: ‘I would love to fight him’

Off the back of his dominant unanimous decision victory over the promotional-perfect contender, Arnold Allen in the main event of UFC Fight Night Kansas City this weekend, former undisputed featherweight champion, Max Holloway has called for a fight with former title challenger, Chan Sung Jung next. Holloway, who entered last night’s main event clash with […]

Holloway, who entered last night’s main event clash with Ipswich native, Allen as the #2 ranked featherweight contender behind just interim titleholder and former foe, Yair Rodríguez – managed to defend his rank in a one-sided decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) win over Allen.

Bouncing back to the winner’s enclosure, Hawaii fan-favorite, Holloway had dropped a one-sided judging loss of his own against current undisputed champion, Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276 back in July of last year during International Fight Week – suffering his third career loss to the Australian.

Max Holloway weighs up future fight with Chan Sung Jung

Adding to recent victories over top contenders like Rodriguez and Calvin Kattar in recent years with last night’s win over Allen, Holloway has suggested he faces fellow perennial featherweight, Jung at a rumored return to Australia for the promotion later this annum.

“‘The Korean Zombie’ (Chan Sung Jung) – that is the only guy – that is the only guy from my time with the older guys, that I didn’t get to fight,” Max Holloway told assembled media following UFC Fight Night Kansas City. “I would love that fight. There’s a fight in my man’s – my agent’s (Tim Simpson) freakin’ country – Australia. When is it? Australia is supposed to be happening – sometime.”

“If ‘Korean Zombie’ wants it, he can get it,” Max Holloway explained. “I would love to fight him – that’s one of the guys I’ve been growing up and watching. I’m kinda trippin’ out how we didn’t fight yet. How did we not fight? If that’s one of the guys, then that’s one of the guys. I would love to fight, and share the Octagon with him. He’s one of the O.G.s that I didn’t get to fight yet. We came up in the same era and like, and we didn’t fight each other. So, if that’s it, that’s it.”

The current #6 ranked featherweight contender, South Korean fan-favorite, Jung suffered a dominant fourth round standing TKO loss to common-foe, Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 273 back in April of last year in an undisputed championship fight.

Dana White slams Clay Guida following fake retirement at UFC Kansas City: ‘That pissed me off’

UFC president, Dana White has hit out at long-time lightweight contender, Clay Guida – after the veteran faked a retirement speech in order to land a post-fight interview with former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier at UFC Fight Night Kansas City. Featuring at last night’s UFC Kansas City event in Missouri, Guida, a former Strikeforce lightweight […]

Featuring at last night’s UFC Kansas City event in Missouri, Guida, a former Strikeforce lightweight champion, slumped to a unanimous decision loss against Rafa Garcia in the main card opener of last night’s event.

However, following his judging defeat, the Illinois fan-favorite took off both his gloves inside the Octagon, with fans and pundits expecting a retirement from the veteran lightweight staple.

In joking fashion, however, Guida insisted that fans were not getting rid of him next – faking a retirement speech in order to score himself a post-fight interview despite his loss.

Dana White hits out at UFC veteran, Clay Guida

Taking umbrage with Guida’s actions, UFC leader, White admitted he was “pissed off” with the former’s decision to pull a hoax retirement.

“That pissed me off actually, to be honest with you,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC Kansas City. “No, that me pissed me off. I like [Clay Guida], he’s a nice guy, but you’re faking your retirement so you can say f*cking happy birthday to somebody?”

“We’re running a live event here, you know what I mean?” Dana White explained. “I was not happy about that. He [Clay Guida] was saying happy birthday to somebody or something. That was not good.”

Boasting a storied résumé, over the course of his UFC career, Guida, 41, has defeated three former division champions in the form of former two-weight champion, B.J. Penn, as well as former undisputed gold holders, Anthony Pettis, and Rafael dos Anjos.

Minting himself as the inaugural Strikeforce lightweight champion back in 2006, Guida landed a decision victory against Josh Thomson.