Max Holloway is determined to prove that his rivalry with Ilia Topuria should not be defined by the knockout defeat he suffered at <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 308. The fight, which marked the rise of Topuria in the featherweight division, ended when the Spanish contender knocked out Holloway, making him the first to do so in his career.
Following this landmark victory, Topuria moved up in weight class and positioned himself to challenge for the title. However, despite this progression, the rivalry between the two fighters has remained felt among fans and the fighters themselves.
Holloway Pushes for a Rematch After UFC 318 Victory
After securing a unanimous decision win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318, Holloway publicly called out Topuria for another fight. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Holloway emphasized the importance of legacy in the sport and challenged Topuria to replicate his earlier success.
“When it comes to legacy and everything… We are in the entertainment business, right? But it comes down to his legacy. If he wants to continue to build his legacy, I’m here right now, you know? You did what you did once, the greats will do it twice.” —Max Holloway
Fans Respond Passionately to Holloway’s Call for a Rematch
Holloway’s comments stirred a heated reaction among fans on social media platform X, sparking debates about the likelihood and stakes of a rematch. One fan captured the moment with a succinct comment:
“Bro said knock me out AGAIN.” —Fan comment
Other supporters expressed strong opinions on both fighters’ prospects in a potential second fight:
“If Iliia is so good, he won’t fluke a KO against a healthy Max.” —Fan comment
“Max will expose Ilia in the rematch.” —Fan comment
“He’s getting dropped by washed [Dustin Poirier], what do you think Ilia does to him?” —Fan comment
“How many rematches does this Holloway guy get? He’s already had 2 trilogies where he was down 0-2 in both of them. Beat some legitimate lightweight contenders before begging for a rematch.” —Fan comment
“I could’ve sworn he was on here downplaying Ilia’s run, now he’s on here begging him to fight him.” —Fan comment
Ongoing Tension Intensifies as Topuria Claims Ownership of BMF Title
The tension between Holloway and Topuria has only escalated since their initial fight at UFC 308. Though Topuria has never officially fought for the BMF title, he has repeatedly claimed ownership of it. After defeating Holloway, Topuria even held up a replica belt to assert his dominance.
Despite Holloway’s defense of the BMF belt against Poirier at UFC 318, Topuria has maintained this claim, further fueling the animosity between the two featherweights.
What’s Next in the Ilia Topuria-Max Holloway Rivalry?
As both fighters continue to stake their claims in the featherweight division, a rematch between Holloway and Topuria remains a topic of intense discussion. Given the closely contested nature of their rivalry and the passionate responses from fans, the possibility of a second fight carries significant weight for both their legacies and the division’s future.