Max Holloway will move back down to featherweight this Saturday, taking on formidable champion Ilia Tuburia in a bid to reclaim his old strap.
The 32-year-old looks to extend what has been a flourishing purple patch of his decorated career, coming off a methodical fifth-round stoppage over Justin Gaethji.
His comprehensive victory at UFC 300 saw him claim the BMF title at lightweight, a division that has provided the American with a plethora of world class opponents to consider.
But, for now, Max Holloway will undoubtedly be eager to win back the title he lost against MMA legend Alexander Volkanovski in 2019.
Max Holloway reflects on Conor McGregor fight ahead of UFC 308
UFC icon Conor McGregor locked horns with Holloway back in 2013, before the Irishman catapulted himself on a path towards super stardom.
Despite his lack of experience, McGregor was largely able to dominate the contest, landing more than double the amount of strikes his opponent got through with.
Furthermore, the polarizing star had success with four of his five attempted takedowns before claiming a unanimous decision through five rounds.
And yet, although he ultimately suffered a defeat, Holloway remembers the McGregor fight more for a humorous interaction that transpired while he had his opponent in half guard.
“He hurt his knee [in the fight], and he screamed… [It was] like a hurtful scream,” Holloway told crashmma.
“I’m on the bottom, holding him, and was like, ‘are you okay?’ He was like, ‘yeh, keep fighting mate; keep fighting.’”
How Max Holloway’s UFC career has unfolded since his defeat to Conor McGregor
Soon after his loss to McGregor over a decade ago, Holloway amassed a terrific nine-fight winning streak before stopping Anthony Pettis for the UFC featherweight title in 2016.
The American then made three defenses of his trinket – beating Jose Aldo twice – before getting outpointed by a Dustin Poirier in their eagerly anticipated rematch at UFC 236.
Holloway remained undeterred, though, as he won the title back only to lose it again to none other than Volkanovski.
Still, the seasoned operator now has the wind back in his sails following a sensational victory over Gaethji, providing him with ample confidence ahead of UFC 308.