Max Holloway couldn’t be any more fitting of the BMF title after his performance at UFC 300. However, the reigning undisputed UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria doesn’t expect it to translate back to a run for the “Blessed” Hawaiian.
It’s really weird having to mentally separate Holloway from a “normal” championship status because he truly does feel like one again after his fifth-round BMF title buzzer-beater knockout of Justin Gaethje this past weekend. This is the first time the “gimmick” belt has felt like a legitimate championship, and that’s no offense to Gaethje’s excellent second-round head kick win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 last July. Holloway simply went to the next level in a different weight class, steadily outstriking his way to an absurd instant classic victory over a Top 3 contender in said weight class. The fight we all wanted so bad met expectations and arguably surpassed them.
As much as the world might love to see a “Blessed” lightweight run, the man has options, as he said in his post-fight scrum. A title shot at 155 pounds is now a logical fight after knocking off the arguable top contender. Instead, the division’s champion Islam Makhachev had his next defense announced to be Poirier at UFC 302 in June before Holloway took the stage for his post-fight chat. That leaves him pondering a crack at reclaiming the first title he ever held, the 145-pound gold strap now owned by Topuria.
“I’m really happy because we just saw Holloway win, so I just realized I will have two belts instead of one,” Topuria told ESPN Deportes’ Carlos Contreras Legaspi. “Let’s see. Nothing concrete, but there was a big chance that if walked out victorious of the octagon he could be next. I’m not sure if he is hurt. I hope not so he can come back soon and we can have a fight.”
Holloway, 32, didn’t indicate any serious injuries after his BMF title win but noted he’ll be on a 30-day medical suspension, which is basic protocol after fights. UFC CEO Dana White was also concerned for Holloway’s leg after the numerous leg kicks taken from Gaethje, and couldn’t believe he was able to walk.
The 27-year-old Topuria became the champion by pulling off a big upset over longtime divisional kingpin Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout at UFC 298 in February. It was Topuria’s 15th consecutive win as he’s yet to lose in MMA. At featherweight, Volkanovski’s lone successor is “El Matador.” Coincidentally, Volkanovksi is the only fighter at 145 pounds since 2013 that Holloway hasn’t been able to get his hand raised over in three attempts.
That knockout and final 10-second sequence with Gaethje will live on forever for Holloway and fight fans around the globe. As electric and chaotic of a scene as it was, it didn’t impress Topuria one bit.
“Well, it was good. Nothing special to be honest,” Topuria said. “The ending was only an exchange of punches without any strategy. Both just throwing punches. Zero defense, hands down, and that kind of things can happen but that is something that would never happen with me because I think inside the octagon.
“[Holloway] was talking a lot during the week. It’s normal. It is what he has to do. He needs to believe he is the best. There is no other way in this sport. But the results are clear. I did in nine minutes [to Volkanosvki] what he was not able to do in 90 minutes. So, he can say whatever he wants, enjoy now, and get ready for what’s coming. He can do whatever he wants. He won’t be able to change that.”
Topuria’s unwavering confidence led him to the promised land as he predicted long before his title fight against Volkanovski was even made official. We’ve seen the European evolve dramatically in his MMA career upon arriving in the UFC in 2020. A strong grappler, Topuria quickly became known for his vicious striking and knockout power. So much so that people often forget he has the grappling chops to support his phenomenal stand-up game.
A matchup between Topuria and Holloway is about as exciting of a fight that can be made going forward after UFC 300. Ultimately, one would have to think it’s entirely up to what the new BMF champion wants to do because White said the title “isn’t going anywhere,” which leaves defense options on the table for the Hawaiian.
If we do get Topuria’s first defense against Holloway, the champion expects to make it look like the rest of his career.
“He is a really easy fight as usual,” Topuria said. “I know people will come at me for saying this. This is what I think. I don’t see anything special. He is basic. Too basic. That’s what I see.
“He doesn’t know what to do when he is under pressure, can’t walk backward. Everybody is good when they have time to think. When you can walk forward, when they let you do whatever you want. Everyone is good there, but when you have someone who thinks, who counters, who attacks, who closes the angles, who throws power punches, is accurate, who can also wrestle, can take you to the ground, has an unbreakable mentality, undefeated … Things get very complicated.”
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Cinema. Dana White praises Max Holloway for ‘ultimate holy s*** moment’ at UFC 300: ‘That’s like movie s***’
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Warrior. Justin Gaethje congratulates Max Holloway in first statement after shocking loss at UFC 300
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$$$. UFC 300 post-fight bonuses: Max Holloway gets his $600k bonus for legendary knockout
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UFC 300 Post Show.
On To the Next One.
UFC 300 Post-Fight Scrums.
Legendary.
The latest Hall of Fame inductee.
A Conorthon.
Full fight.
Adesanya at 300.
Inside trips.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!
Splat.
Scenes.
Math.
Sodiq.
Surprising the gangster.
I was so scared I was gonna ruin the secret! We had to pretend we were interviewing @ChaelSonnen by the octagon before the BMF fight. So happy for my friend. Joseph and I were at that fight and I bruised my hands I was clenching them together so hard during the main event
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) April 14, 2024
Samurai style.
Just what.
It takes two to tango. I couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner for #ufc300 . It was an honor to share that octagon with you @Justin_Gaethje . A true BMF in every way, thank you for the opportunity. Shoutout to the real ones who has been rocking with me. I said it before… pic.twitter.com/SpMLv0HlYb
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 14, 2024
Justin is a warrior, keep your head up champ !
Spectacular performance by Max, congrats
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) April 14, 2024
Strawweight madness.
Congrats Weili. Great fight. Great battle between these two women.
Zhang vs Suarez. #UFC300
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) April 14, 2024
Poatan’s power, man.
Elder abuse.
Champ vs. champ(s).
Next up.
Be ready
See you soon boy
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) April 14, 2024
Hendad.
Here it continues.
A Chael story.
Two of Japan’s finest.
Let’s party.
Congrats on your performance Max . Respect your story and everything you achieved with a beautiful family . Hopefully we gonna share the octagon before the end of the year and trust me you gonna feel something that you never felt before . I will be the first one to take your…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) April 15, 2024
Islam Makhachev (25-1) vs. Dustin Poirier (30-8, 1 NC); UFC 302, June 1
Sean Strickland (28-6) vs. Paulo Costa (14-3); UFC 302, June 1
Conor McGregor (22-6) vs. Michael Chandler (23-8); UFC 303, June 29
Topuria’s demeanor feels like such a big contrast from any type of opponent Holloway has had since… Conor McGregor? Even back then, Conor didn’t talk much trash toward Holloway, and if he did it was on nowhere near the scale he quickly reached after that win. Topuria is instantly making this matchup much more intriguing in and out of the octagon.
Thanks for reading!
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 64% of 306 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler be made official at UFC 300?” McGregor vs. Chandler was made official for UFC 303 on June 29 at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference.
Thursday: 56% of 361 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Is UFC 300 the greatest MMA event ever assembled?”
Wednesday: 73% of 368 total votes answered “Charles Oliveira” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Arman Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira via a split decision at UFC 300.
Tuesday: 72% of 411 total votes answered “Alex Pereira” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Pereira defeated Jamahal Hill via a first-round knockout (punches)at 3:14 in UFC 300’s main event.
Monday: 72% of 253 total votes answered “Justin Gaethje” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Max Holloway defeated Gaethje via a fifth-round knockout (punch) at 4:59 at UFC 300.
Today’s exit poll:
Poll
Where does UFC 300 rank amongst all-time UFC events?
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