Max Holloway’s Lightweight Ambitions: Is a Title Shot in His Near Future?

By Ali Hammad June 13, 2025 09:13

Max Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion and one of the sport’s most popular figures, has recently confirmed his intention to make the lightweight division his permanent home. This move comes after a storied career at 145 pounds, where Holloway established himself as one of the greatest featherweights ever, but now eyes a fresh challenge at 155 pounds.

Holloway’s featherweight legacy is undeniable. He won the undisputed featherweight title by defeating José Aldo at UFC 212 and successfully defended it multiple times, including against top contenders like Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar. His reign at 145 pounds included a remarkable 13-fight winning streak and five straight title fight victories. However, recent setbacks, including a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 the first KO loss of his professional career have prompted Holloway to reconsider his path forward.

Despite the loss, Holloway remains confident and motivated. He told fans on social media that he and his team are working on a comeback date, aiming for a return in the summer of 2025, likely at lightweight. Holloway’s move to 155 pounds is not new; he previously fought Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title in 2019 in a competitive bout that ended in a decision loss. He has long expressed openness to fighting at lightweight, citing his natural size and ability to carry the weight comfortably. “I’m Polynesian, I’m Samoan-Hawaiian, we love food, so I think gaining weight is not going to be a problem,” Holloway remarked in 2023.

The lightweight division currently boasts some of the UFC’s elite talent, including Islam Makhachev, the reigning champion, and Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight champion who recently challenged for the lightweight title. Holloway has acknowledged that moving up is part of his quest for greatness, stating, “I want to be the best mixed martial artist in the world... It is someone who goes to whatever weight”. He has also indicated interest in potential high-profile matchups, including a fight against Volkanovski at lightweight, which would be a compelling clash given their featherweight rivalry.

Holloway’s recent victory over Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF title at UFC 300 demonstrated he still possesses elite striking and resilience. However, with Volkanovski maintaining dominance at featherweight and the division’s landscape shifting, Holloway’s path to reclaiming the 145-pound title appears increasingly uncertain. This uncertainty further fuels speculation that a lightweight title shot could be on the horizon if Holloway strings together wins in his new division.

In summary, Max Holloway’s ambitions at lightweight are clear and well-founded. His history of competitive fights at 155 pounds, combined with his recent featherweight setbacks and desire to cement a legacy beyond one division, suggest a strong possibility of a title shot in the near future. Fans can expect Holloway to return mid-2025, ready to challenge the top contenders and potentially vie for UFC lightweight gold.

As Holloway himself puts it, “We’re working on the date!” and the MMA world eagerly awaits what could be the next defining chapter in the career of “Blessed.”