Max Holloway Discusses the Future of the ‘BMF’ Title and Praises Diego Lopes as an ‘Animal’ and Legitimate Contender

A big part of why Max Holloway fought Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 was the knowledge that a win would give him some options for his career.

Not only did he win, but Holloway had one of the best finishes in UFC history when he pointed to the ground late in the fifth round and invited Gaethje to throw with him. With one second left on the clock, Holloway delivered a stunning knockout, sending Gaethje face first to the canvas as the T-Mobile Arena crowd erupted in applause.

That fight crowned Holloway the “BMF” champion, but he ultimately decided his next step was returning to featherweight, where he challenged Ilia Topuria for the title in the UFC 308 main event. Although the title fight is all that matters to him at the moment, Holloway knows a win on Saturday will put him back in the same advantageous position and he promises he has not forgotten his other title.

“Definitely. I definitely think so,” Holloway said about defending the ‘BMF’ title. “At the end of the day, in this sport you want options more than anything. I’m going to go out there and raise my hand. What’s the saying? The world is my oyster. I can’t wait for it.”

Assuming he makes it through Topuria and becomes a two-time featherweight champion, Holloway understands there will be plenty of work to do in that division as well.

Winning the title potentially sets Holloway up for a fourth fight against Alexander Volkanovski after suffering three losses to him in the past. Volkanovski was promised a title shot upon his return to action following a knockout loss to Topuria in February.

Of course, Holloway hasn’t forgotten the other name in the hat at this point and that belongs to Diego Lopes, who essentially serves as the backup fighter for the UFC 308 main event. Whether it’s Volkanovski or Lopes, Holloway, as champion, can’t wait for that kind of challenge.

“He’s an animal,” Holloway said of Lopes. “The way he fought. Fighting at short notice. When he shows up in those short-term fights, he’s a beast. When I saw that he was the backup, I was kind of blown away because of all the talk about Alex saying he’s the next guy in line and this and that and then also, it makes sense that Alex isn’t there. I’m not a backup hunter. They told him he would get the next title fight.

“It’s just weird that they tell Alex he has the next title fight and he has to have another guy as backup. But I think so. When you look at the heavyweight division, anything can happen in the world. Ultimately, I think Diego Lopes is a promising rising star. He doesn’t even come anymore. He does what he does. It’s cool. Congratulations on having that moment.”

Before he can think about defending his “BMF” title or really pay attention to who is next at featherweight, Holloway must first win back that 145-pound title on Saturday.

While he can’t quite sum up the feeling of winning at UFC 308 since it hasn’t happened yet, Holloway has a good idea of ​​how much another title run would mean to him.

“It’s going to be great,” Holloway said. “With all the naysayers, with all the doubters, with all the fan base he brings in, the support he has. It’s going to be great. I can’t wait to get out there and prove it to the world.

“To be the best you have to beat the best and the best is ‘blessed’. On October 26 I can show it to the world again.”