Max Holloway reacts to ‘wild’ new rankings ahead of UFC 308

After 12 years in the UFC, Max Holloway can now say he is a top-five contender in two weight classes. But as you may remember, the rankings weren’t always like this…

The last time we saw the former featherweight champion was at UFC 300 earlier this year, where Holloway pulled off a knockout for the ages against Justin Gaethje, sending him face-first to the canvas with a punch just before the final bell rang.

With the No. 2 contender eliminated and No. 1 contender Charles Oliveira being outpointed by Arman Tsarukyan in the previous fight, you’d think Holloway would take his place somewhere in the top three of the division, right? Well, that wasn’t the case, as Holloway debuted in April at No. 9 in the lightweight rankings and Gaethje fell one spot, still ahead of BMF, who beat him.

Max Holloway explains how he risked everything against Justin Gaethje

After months of criticism from UFC CEO Dana White over how the current ranking system should be replaced, the rankings panel has moved Holloway up a few spots.

The latest rankings update now sees Holloway at No. 5 ahead of his return against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria this weekend.

“The rankings are wild,” Holloway said of the lightweight rankings change at UFC 308 media day. “It doesn’t matter unless you get the belt. So it’s cool to move up, this and that, being in the pound-for-pound race and everything, but if you’re not first, you’re last, I guess.”

1-1 at lightweight, having lost to Dustin Poirier years before and outpointing Justin Gaethje months ago, another fight at 155 pounds isn’t out of the question for Holloway, be it a win, loss or draw against Topuria.

At the end of the day, he is still the BMF champion with a belt to defend – if he so chooses.

“Not at all, man,” Holloway said when asked if it was difficult to decide which title to defend first, the BMF title or the featherweight title. “UFC can tell me what they want to do and we can do it.” . There are a lot of fun fights here at ’45 now. I know they’re bringing someone else here with Diego [Lopes as the back-up fighter]. Those are some cool guys that are there.

“’55 is always fun to get my name involved, but first things first is Ilia. I have my hands full with him and you can ask me that question after Saturday night.”

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