Max Holloway Considers Future After First Knockout Loss at UFC 308
Max Holloway experienced an emotional night at UFC 308 as he faced featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Despite his best efforts and having moments of dominance, Holloway suffered the first knockout loss of his career against the powerful Topuria. Holloway started the fight with confidence, regaining his rhythm towards the end of the first round and trying to maintain distance for precise counterattacks. However, in the third round, Topuria figured Holloway out, unleashing a series of punches and finishing the fight with a powerful right hand that sent Holloway to the canvas.
In the post-fight press conference, Holloway shared, “That’s what happened; I feel fine. I fought my heart out and maybe surprised him with some precise, quick shots. But this is a game of inches, and Topuria landed a shot that made me look up from the mat.”
Holloway Considers Moving Up to Lightweight, Aiming for Big Fight in Summer 2025
After the loss at UFC 308, Holloway reflected on his future, including the possibility of moving up to lightweight. Once the featherweight champion after technically knocking out José Aldo at UFC 212, Holloway successfully defended his title against tough opponents like Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar. Although he fell short in his attempt to reclaim the featherweight title from Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway has maintained respect in the fighting community due to his fighting spirit and consistent performance.
Currently, Holloway is in no rush to return to the octagon, planning to take a break until mid-2025 to strategize with his team. “I might come back in the summer, a big fight in July in Vegas, let’s see. Lightweight is looking very appealing right now,” Holloway stated. He also mentioned the potential for exciting matchups in the lightweight division and feels ready for a new chapter in his career.
