Ali Akbar Rosady
Max Holloway’s immediate professional commitment lies with his highly anticipated main event clash against Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on July 11. Yet, the Hawaiian contender has also addressed recent remarks from newly crowned undisputed lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, whose comments regarding a potential rematch have added another layer of intrigue to the division’s evolving landscape.
The discussion surrounding a potential second encounter between Holloway (25-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) and Gaethje (26-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) stems from their memorable first meeting at UFC 300 in April 2024. In what many observers and analysts heralded as one of the greatest finishes in mixed martial arts history, Holloway delivered a brutal knockout blow to Gaethje with just one second remaining in the fifth and final round of their BMF title fight. The dramatic conclusion saw Holloway famously point to the canvas, inviting Gaethje into a slugfest before landing the decisive shot that left Gaethje unconscious. That victory, which secured Holloway the BMF title, underscored his willingness to engage in high-risk, high-reward encounters and solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting competitors.
Despite that emphatic loss, Justin Gaethje embarked on a remarkable journey of resurgence within the lightweight division. Following his defeat to Holloway, Gaethje battled his way back to contention, eventually claiming the interim lightweight championship. His trajectory culminated in a high-profile, undisputed title fight against Ilia Topuria (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at the unique "UFC White House" card. Topuria, who had previously held the featherweight title and maintained an undefeated professional record, entered the bout with significant momentum and an aura of invincibility. However, Gaethje delivered an all-time great performance, dethroning Topuria to claim the undisputed UFC lightweight title. The victory marked Topuria’s first professional loss and solidified Gaethje’s position at the summit of the 155-pound division.
Given their recent history, particularly Holloway’s definitive knockout win, a potential rematch between the two champions has naturally entered the conversation, especially should Holloway emerge victorious against McGregor at UFC 329. However, Gaethje, speaking to Jim Rome after his triumph over Topuria, appeared less than enthusiastic about the prospect of facing Holloway again.
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"Max definitely knocked me out," Gaethje acknowledged, reflecting on their UFC 300 encounter. "But I feel like I got that win back with the Ilia Topuria fight."
Gaethje’s assertion that beating Topuria somehow nullifies his loss to Holloway introduces a unique form of "MMA math" into the championship picture. Holloway, who himself has a past featherweight loss to Topuria, expressed his bemusement regarding Gaethje’s logic.
"I saw [Justin Gaethje] saying, too, and I had no idea about if you [get a win] somebody [else], you beat them," Holloway stated during an appearance on behalf of Stake, speaking to MMA Fighting. Holloway then presented a sarcastic counter-argument to illustrate the flaw in Gaethje’s reasoning. "Technically, I beat Conor McGregor because I bust Dustin [Poirier], if that’s what he’s saying. At the end of the day, all jokes aside, it is what it is." Holloway’s analogy highlights the conventional understanding in combat sports, where direct head-to-head results typically hold more weight than indirect comparisons through common opponents. His point underscores that while shared opponents offer context, they do not inherently "cancel out" direct outcomes.
Despite the lighthearted critique of Gaethje’s reasoning, Holloway harbored nothing but praise for the newly crowned lightweight king’s performance against Ilia Topuria. Holloway expressed genuine admiration for Gaethje’s strategic execution and resilience, particularly given the widespread belief among fans and pundits that Topuria was an insurmountable challenge.
"People counting Justin out, I was tripping out," Holloway recounted. "I didn’t have Justin winning but I thought if Justin could win, he would have to do it that way. I thought he was going to have kicks more involved but he did it with his hands. He proved me wrong. He went out there and did his thing."
Holloway further elaborated on the significance of Gaethje’s victory, acknowledging the rare feat of breaking an undefeated fighter’s streak. "It’s always crazy to see when this one person in the sport has this unbeatable [aura] around them and people just think they’re [unbeatable] and somebody comes out and [does] it," he added. "Congrats to Justin. He went out there, he looked good, he stuck to his game plan. He fought really smart. He took calculated risks. It paid off. Even surviving that body shot. What a demon. Congrats to the champ." This assessment from Holloway underscores the tactical brilliance and mental fortitude Gaethje displayed to overcome a highly regarded opponent who many believed was on an unstoppable ascent.
Interestingly, in the same breath that he addressed the potential rematch with Holloway, Gaethje also indicated his plans to attend UFC 329. He openly stated his desire to "punch Conor McGregor in the face," adding another layer of complexity to the lightweight title picture. Gaethje’s interest in McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) signals a potential high-profile matchup for the lightweight champion, regardless of the outcome of McGregor’s bout with Holloway.
Holloway, however, is not allowing these external narratives to distract him from his immediate objective. His focus remains squarely on dispatching McGregor in their main event showdown on July 11. Nevertheless, Holloway understands the fluid nature of the UFC landscape and acknowledges that another significant victory could dramatically alter his trajectory and open doors to a variety of high-stakes opportunities, including a championship rematch against Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight title.
"At the end of the day, that fight of course it’s right there," Holloway confirmed, acknowledging the undeniable potential of a second encounter with Gaethje. "It’s dangling right in front of him."
Holloway emphasized his commitment to the immediate task at hand, stating, "I’m focused on doing what I’ve got to do, get my hand raised in great fashion come July 11. Whatever way the UFC wants to go, we go. UFC’s crazy. Look at the fights they put on, look at what they’re able to do." He concluded by reflecting on the unpredictable nature of his career path: "If you told me I was going to fight Conor McGregor after my last fight, you’re crazy but we’re here now. Days away. I can’t wait."
The upcoming UFC 329 main event between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor carries significant implications not just for the featherweight and lightweight divisions, but for the broader championship landscape. Holloway’s performance against McGregor will undoubtedly shape the immediate future of his career, potentially setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with Justin Gaethje with the undisputed lightweight title on the line, or paving the way for other significant matchups in a division brimming with talent.
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