Max Holloway’s featherweight run seems to be over.
“Blessed” lately challenged for the UFC’s 145-pound title at UFC 308 and was knocked out for the primary time in his profession by Ilia Topuria. Whereas Holloway teased a transfer up in weight on the post-fight press convention, he has since introduced he’s planning a full-time transfer to the light-weight division.
“Perhaps that is like my phoenix second, you understand, from the ashes,” Holloway stated on his YouTube channel. “We’re reborn. So we’re on to larger, higher stuff and strolling by means of a brand new door, and beginning a brand new chapter, and I’m an enormous believer in by no means say by no means, and the large query proper now’s, ‘Was that your final struggle at 145?’
“You guys noticed me type of contact upon it on the press convention and I can actually say I feel I’m accomplished with 145. Your boy, like I stated, we’re solely getting older. I’ve accomplished 33 [fights], this reduce was simple, bro… however it takes a toll slicing weight, interval, at no matter weight you might be. Like I stated, I had to surrender ramen for my [featherweight] camps, so I’m accomplished with that. I don’t ever wish to quit ramen once more. 155, right here we come and 155 is the place I wish to keep.”
Holloway has competed at light-weight within the UFC twice, first shedding an in depth determination to Dustin Poirier for the interim light-weight title at UFC 236 in April 2019, and earlier this 12 months knocking out Justin Gaethje within the ultimate second of their “BMF” title struggle at UFC 300.
The 32-year-old owns most of the featherweight division’s high accolades, however for him, it’s about fan-friendly matchups, and beginning a brand new journey in his already Corridor of Fame profession.
“This can be a new chapter,” Holloway stated. “That is the place we begin. That is the place we start, and I’m tremendous excited for it. I can’t wait. Like I stated, by no means say by no means, however I can actually look you guys within the eyes and let you know guys I’m in all probability not ever going again to [145].
“I beloved what I did, I did what I did, I did what I needed to do there, I labored my means again, I clawed my means again as much as the championship struggle a number of occasions there. I used to be the champion, I defended at that weight, now it’s time to maneuver on the subsequent chapter and 155, there’s a bunch of enjoyable fights that I can’t wait to take. We’re going to take a while off, we’re going to chill out, heal, I owe my spouse some downtime and a few journeys. In order that’s all we’re going to do, however after I do make the return, it’s going to be at 155 and we’re there to remain.”
