Max Holloway plans full-time UFC light-weight transfer: ‘I’m completed with 145’

Max Holloway has created a big legacy for himself within the featherweight division, nevertheless it seems the ultimate visible of him within the weight class he helped construct will probably be a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria.

Within the aftermath of his first stoppage loss attributable to strikes within the UFC 308 headliner this month, Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) teased he was going to maneuver as much as the light-weight division completely. He’s competed there twice below the UFC banner up to now, dropping an exciting determination to Dustin Poirier in 2019 then scoring an all-time knockout towards Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April.

After taking time to replicate on the loss to Topuria and the place it places him in his profession, Holloway has made the choice to say farewell to featherweight and focus all his efforts on making a run at 155 kilos.

“That is like my phoenix second, from the ashes we’re reborn,” Holloway stated Saturday on his YouTube channel. “We’re on to larger, higher stuff and strolling by a brand new door and beginning a brand new chapter. I’m an enormous believer in by no means say by no means, and the large query now’s, ‘Was that your final combat at 145?’ You guys noticed me contact upon it within the press convention, and I can actually say I feel I’m completed with 145. Your boy is barely getting older. I flip 33. This minimize – no excuses. This minimize was straightforward, bro. Shout out to my spouse. They helped make this minimize very easy, nevertheless it takes a tole slicing weight, interval. It doesn’t matter what weight you might be.

“I had to surrender ramen for my ’45 camps. So I’m completed 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. This can be a new chapter. That is the place we begin. That is the place we start. I can’t wait. Like I stated, by no means say by no means. However I can actually look you guys within the eye and inform you guys I’m most likely not ever going again to ’45. I really like what I did. I did what I did. I did what I needed to do there. I labored my method again, I clawed my again to the championship combat a number of occasions there. I used to be a champion. I defended at that weight. Now it’s time to maneuver on to the subsequent chapter, and 155 there’s a bunch of enjoyable fights that I can’t wait to take.”

Holloway expressed pleasure to dive right into a bodily transformation of transferring up. He admitted he by no means was in a position to totally decide to it in his earlier divisional appearances as a result of he knew there have been nonetheless featherweight fights in his future, however that’s not the case.

“After I do make the return it’s going to be at 155 and we’re there to remain,” Holloway stated. “Even the model of myself you noticed at 155 towards Gaethje isn’t the total model. We had the concept of going again to ’45 as a result of I wished that world title. I can’t watch for the longer term. Should you thought that model of myself towards Gaethje at 300 was good – I can’t wait to get within the lab with my coaches and put some measurement on.”

Holloway stated he’s focusing on a summer time 2025 return to competitors, and is open to all choices. He might defend the BMF title, take marquee contender combat or go one other path. It’s too quickly for Holloway to start out naming opponents given his plans for break day, however he is aware of there will probably be loads of stable prospects on the desk for his return.

“If I bought to decide on a timeline, Worldwide Struggle Week,” Holloway stated. “I’d like to be again on the Ninth Island in Las Vegas. Big card is Worldwide Struggle Week. I don’t know who’s going to be out there at the moment. With me being ranked at ’55 is nice. Hopefully I can combat anyone in entrance of me, get an enormous win and who is aware of? Could be knocking on the door of a title combat at 155.”