Max Holloway Names Next Targets

BMF Champion Max Holloway (27-8-0) wants legacy-defining fights against Conor McGregor and UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev, but he first must get past Charles Oliveira.

Number 4-ranked UFC lightweight Holloway faces Number-3 ranked lightweight Oliveira for the second time in UFC 326’s main event on March 7. Max won the first fight after Oliveira could not continue during the first-round because of a neck injury (micro-tear in the esophagus). If he comes through with a win, Max has his eyes on McGregor and Makhachev.

A rematch with McGregor could take place after Conor won a unanimous decision despite tearing his ACL mid-bout in their 2013 clash. Both men have transformed significantly since the first fight. McGregor went on to become a double champ, winning belts at featherweight and lightweight, as he hopes to feature on the UFC White House card on June 14. Meanwhile, Holloway became a featherweight champion. While their first meeting was at featherweight, a rematch would almost certainly take place at 155 or even 170 lbs.

Makhachev, meanwhile, is a trickier fight to make as he is the current welterweight champion. By calling out Makhachev, Max could use the BMF belt as leverage to secure the fight. However, Max wants it at lightweight. He missed out on fighting Islam’s coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is retired, so Islam is the next best option. That is unlikely, however, as Khabib wants him to remain at welterweight. 

“I want Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev at Lightweight. The belt is definitely the goal, but I also have the BMF title, which I’m super proud of, and it opens up a lot of really interesting fights. Then we have a certain Conor McGregor wanting to make his return to the cage. You know, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t take that fight – it’s Conor McGregor, man, you have to take that fight.

“We obviously have our history, and I think it would be great at The White House. Another one I had history with is Khabib. You know, he’s retired, but I feel like Islam is part of that team, and I’d like a shot at Islam as well. I think we’re in a really great position with some exciting fights ahead,” Holloway said