Alexander Volkanovski believes Max Holloway has earned the right to face Ilia Topuria again after Holloway’s recent victory at UFC 318. Following a unanimous decision win over Dustin Poirier on July 20, 2025, Holloway demonstrated his resilience by rebounding from last year’s featherweight title loss to Topuria. Volkanovski’s comments highlight the growing anticipation around a potential rematch between Holloway and the current lightweight champion.
Holloway Rebounds Strongly in UFC 318 Main Event
At UFC 318, Max Holloway successfully maintained his ‘BMF’ title by defeating Dustin Poirier, who was fighting the final match of his career. This victory was particularly meaningful for Holloway, given that he was trailing 0-2 in their rivalry before this fight. His performance reaffirmed his storied reputation and caught the attention of Volkanovski, who praised Holloway’s mental toughness and ability to recover from setbacks.
Volkanovski reflected on Holloway’s career comeback on his YouTube channel:
“I’m gonna give Max a moment right now to just say how incredible that was,”
Volkanovski said.
“It is not easy to come back from losses. He’s showed, time and time again, from big losses — not just little losses, world title losses, off tears. Even that last one, our third fight, to win the way I did, you’re probably thinking, ‘Am I done?’ You’re going to start having those negative thoughts. For him to bounce back like he did and go on another tear, and then have his moment with Justin Gaethje, already incredible. Then, his first KO loss.”
He continued by addressing Holloway’s response to his first knockout defeat:
“He’s been back from big losses before, but never KOed. How’s he going to be in a ‘BMF’ fight coming off a KO loss? … That’s going to mentally get you. Max, I don’t think it did. Even when he did get dropped, he still came back to what he wanted to do. … Incredible. Honestly incredible fight from Max to come back like that. Touché.”
Volkanovski underscored Holloway’s perseverance and skill in overcoming physical and psychological obstacles, stressing that the win over Poirier was a testament to Holloway’s unwavering resolve.
Holloway’s Positioning in Lightweight Division and Future Matchups
Despite being the reigning ‘BMF’ champion, Holloway has shifted focus to the lightweight division, where he has recorded significant victories against elite fighters. His wins against Justin Gaethje, widely regarded as the number one contender, and Dustin Poirier, a recent title challenger, mark an impressive lightweight resume. However, Holloway remains humbled by his recent loss to Ilia Topuria at 145 pounds, admitting he still has unfinished business with the lightweight titleholder.
Volkanovski weighed in on Holloway’s standing in the lightweight division:
“I know Max just fought him, but now it’s at lightweight where they both sort of want to be,”
he said.
“You’ve got to think of who Max beat at lightweight. You’ve gotta go off the lightweight fights. Max beat Justin Gaethje, who I think is the No. 1 contender, and Poirier, who just fought for the title. So he literally beat the two top guys, the two main guys that you usually need to beat to get the title shot. That’s his only fights in lightweight — his streak right now — and it’s against the two top guys. You’d say he’s next. You would think so.”
Volkanovski also mentioned potential opponents other than Topuria:
“Or Arman. Obviously, Arman was there. I don’t know what’s the deal with that. Paddy Pimblett, they did the faceoff. There’s a bit of bad blood. I don’t know if that’s happening, I don’t know if that’s locked in. But with Max, Max’s next fight could probably be for the title. I think that would be fair.”
This statement illustrates the complexity of potential matchmaking scenarios for Holloway, emphasizing his deserving spot as a top lightweight contender regardless of who he meets next.
Concerns Over Holloway’s Durability After Consecutive Knockdowns
While praising Holloway’s grit and accomplishments, Volkanovski expressed worries about Holloway’s future durability in high-stakes fights. Holloway has now been knocked down in three consecutive bouts, including his first stoppage loss by knockout to Topuria. This trend raises concerns about whether Holloway’s famously tough chin remains as reliable as before.
Volkanovski elaborated on these concerns:
“We haven’t really seen Max dropped like that. Like, getting hurt,”
he said.
“I don’t know, I hate saying it. You talk about it, but is the chin exactly the same? I don’t know. I don’t know if I can say it is. So if they fight again, or moving forward, Max can’t rely on his chin like he used to, got to be a bit more strategic.”
This adds an element of urgency to any future rematch between Holloway and Topuria, as Holloway may need to adjust his fighting style to compensate for possible vulnerabilities.
Reflections on UFC 318 and the End of Dustin Poirier’s Career
UFC 318 was not only noteworthy for Holloway’s win but also marked the end of Dustin Poirier’s distinguished career. Poirier, known as a warrior inside and outside the cage, retired following his loss. Holloway paid tribute to Poirier, honoring their rivalry and friendship in a heartfelt message shared on social media.
“It was an honor to share the octagon not once not twice but three times with this man. Thank you Dustin for being a warrior in the cage and even a greater person out of it. The sport is gonna miss you. Enjoy your retirement! Paid in full! Diamonds are forever.” — Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA)
Other fighters and figures in MMA echoed similar sentiments:
“Congrats to my bro @DustinPoirier on a great career. You are a real fighter. You Always put on exciting fights for the fans. Hopefully I’ll see you again in the training room one day!” — Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden)
“Congratulations, Dustin. You’re truly one of the greatest to ever step into the cage. It was an honor and a privilege to share it with you.” — Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA)
The respect shown across the MMA community highlights Poirier’s impact on the sport and marks a poignant moment for fighters and fans alike.
General Reactions and Notable Mentions from UFC 318 Weekend
Beyond the main event and Holloway’s potential rematch with Topuria, UFC 318 weekend featured multiple notable moments. UFC president Dana White denied Jon Jones a headline spot for UFC White House, leading to public disappointment from Jones. Meanwhile, Holloway expressed dissatisfaction about missing out on the Fight of the Night bonus despite his strong performance.
Dustin Poirier himself questioned the judges’ unanimous decision, feeling the fight was closer. Jon Jones stirred tension with a social media reply to Daniel Cormier, adding to the drama surrounding UFC’s heavyweight scene. Meanwhile, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) saw Costello Van Steenis score a major upset over Johnny Eblen at PFL Africa.
In boxing, Oleksandr Usyk reclaimed the undisputed heavyweight title with a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois. Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios fought to a majority draw, adding excitement to the boxing world during the UFC weekend.
These developments kept fight fans engaged in mixed martial arts and boxing beyond UFC 318, showcasing the vibrant combat sports landscape.
Looking Ahead: The Possibility of the Topuria-Holloway Rematch
With UFC 319 scheduled for August 16, speculation over Max Holloway’s next fight continues to grow. Alexander Volkanovski’s advocacy for a Topuria rematch adds weight to a matchup many fans want to see, especially as both men now compete full-time at lightweight. Given Holloway’s recent wins over top contenders and his unfinished business with Topuria, a rematch appears both logical and compelling.
Yet, the questions surrounding Holloway’s ability to absorb damage linger, possibly influencing the strategy and stakes of any future fight. If the two meet again, the contest will not only determine the lightweight title but could also signal how Holloway adapts in the later stages of his career.
Meanwhile, the MMA community waits eagerly to see if the UFC will align matchmaking with these sentiments, making the Topuria-Holloway rematch a defining moment in the lightweight division’s narrative.