Max Holloway isn’t shying away from a potential rematch with Ilia Topuria or Charles Oliveira.
The UFC’s BMF Champion puts his silver strap on the line when he meets Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 318 on July 19th in New Orleans.
Max Holloway is 0-2 against Poirier, losing to his rival in his UFC debut back in 2012 and again for the interim lightweight championship in 2019. Holloway will attempt to avenge both losses in Poirier’s retirement fight in his home state of Louisiana.
The Fighting Hawaiian failed to become a two-time UFC featherweight champion in his last appearance against Ilia Topuria. Holloway was knocked out for the first time in his career at UFC 308 in October.
Despite the devastating KO loss to Topuria and ‘El Matador’ following him to lightweight, Holloway’s title aspirations are still there with ‘Blessed’ hoping to win a second UFC belt.
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Max Holloway eyes lightweight title fight with ‘statement’ win over Dustin Poirier
Holloway has history with both Topuria and Charles Oliveira, the two men fighting for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28th.
Oliveira suffered a first-round TKO loss to Holloway at featherweight back in 2015 due to a freak neck injury.
10 years later, the former champion welcomes Topuria to the top of the lightweight division.
Holloway, who KO’ed top contender Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 last year, stands among them.
“I know this is Dustin’s retirement fight, but his last fight was for a title,” Holloway said on his YouTube channel.
“I still have title contentions in my mind and a couple weeks before us, there’s a title fight at 155.
“I got history with both men,” Holloway said of the UFC 317 headliner between Topuria and Oliveira.
“At the end of the day, I go out there, I do my thing. I make a statement. I get a statement win.
“Who’s to say your boy’s not fighting for 155 undisputed title at the end of the year?” Holloway added.
Max Holloway not overlooking Dustin Poirier in retirement fight
While a title rematch with Topuria or Oliveira could be down the road, Holloway says the Dustin Poirier trilogy has his full focus.
Holloway refuses to look past Poirier in what will be ‘The Diamond’s’ final MMA fight.
“First things first is Dustin Poirier. I am not looking over him,” Holloway said.
“This is his retirement fight. He is taking it serious.
“Everybody keep reminding me that I was [0-2]. Everybody’s on the internet everywhere, all around saying why [is Holloway fighting Poirier again]?
“I’m gonna show you why,” Holloway answered.
“I’m gonna show you why I got this fight. I’m gonna show the fans why you guys wanna see this fight.
If you’re trying to get someone into watching the UFC, tune in July 19 because me and Dustin, it’s gonna be a fun fight.”