Ali Akbar RosadyMax Holloway, the reigning "BMF" champion, has expressed strong interest in participating in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s unprecedented event planned for the White House lawn, an occasion slated to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. While acknowledging the historical significance of such a card, Holloway simultaneously revealed his immediate focus on a highly anticipated rematch against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, a bout he believes is crucial for his career trajectory and a potential path back to championship gold.
The concept of a UFC fight card at the White House gained significant traction earlier this year following an announcement by UFC CEO Dana White and former President Donald Trump. The event is intended to be a marquee celebration of American history, with the iconic backdrop of the White House providing a unique setting for elite mixed martial arts competition. Since its revelation, the prospect has ignited considerable speculation and drawn interest from numerous high-profile fighters across various divisions. Notable figures such as former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who briefly hinted at ending his retirement specifically for a spot on the card, and global superstar Conor McGregor, have publicly voiced their desire to be involved.
Holloway, known for his articulate insights and strategic approach to his career, shared his perspective on the potential White House event during an interview on Korean Zombie’s YouTube channel. "We’ll see what happens with the Conor thing, with Jon Jones coming back," Holloway stated, acknowledging the competitive landscape for spots on such a prestigious card. However, he posited a compelling argument for his own inclusion: "I think the card idea is cool, but there’s no American champion. The only American champion there is is the ‘BMF’ title, so you’re looking at the man. So am I going to be at the card? I like my odds of being on it."
Holloway’s assertion regarding the absence of an American male champion at the highest echelon of the UFC holds partial truth. While he does hold the ceremonial "BMF" title, which he famously secured from Dustin Poirier in a thrilling five-round war at UFC 318 in June, the UFC currently features multiple American champions across its women’s divisions. Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, holds the women’s bantamweight title, while Mackenzie Dern, a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, is the current women’s strawweight champion. These distinctions underscore the nuance in Holloway’s claim, highlighting the ceremonial nature of the "BMF" belt versus the traditional divisional championships. The "BMF" title, introduced in 2019, is not tied to a specific weight class and is generally awarded for fights deemed to exemplify the spirit of a "baddest motherf***er" in the sport, a recognition Holloway certainly earned through his tenacious performance against Poirier.
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Despite his keen interest in the historic card, Holloway also conveyed a degree of ambivalence regarding its practical aspects. UFC CEO Dana White has previously indicated that the White House event is unlikely to adopt an "America vs. the World" thematic structure, which could potentially diminish the unique relevance of Holloway’s "American champion" status. Furthermore, Holloway raised concerns about the logistical constraints of the event. "I don’t know too much of really wanting to be on it," he admitted. "Because I heard that’s only going to have like 5,000 people on the lawn, and then across the street, they’re going to have like 80,000 people at screens watching and stuff, which is cool, but the 5,000 people, I don’t know if my family would be able to have seats there." For a fighter of Holloway’s stature, who has consistently competed in sold-out arenas worldwide, the prospect of limited attendance and potential difficulty in securing ringside access for his family represents a significant departure from his usual fight night experience. "At the end of the day, it kind of sucks not having family members there, especially when I worked my way up so high in the UFC, I’m so used to having them really close, ringside and stuff, and them just being there," he explained, emphasizing the personal importance of his support system.
Beyond the attendance issue, the timeline for the White House card presents another critical consideration for Holloway. Having last competed in June at UFC 318, where he captured the BMF title, "Blessed" is wary of a prolonged layoff. The White House event is anticipated to take place in June of the following year, which would mark a full 12-month hiatus from active competition for Holloway. This extended period away from the octagon is a concern for a fighter known for his activity and momentum. "We’ll see what happens," Holloway stated. "But first thing’s first, just get through this injury, and hopefully I can get a fight early in the year around March, April, and see if I can do a turnaround. If they wait, or if they hold me, it’s so long. I fought Poirier in June, and the card is going to be in June. That would be a long wait for me." Maintaining competitive sharpness and avoiding ring rust are paramount for elite athletes, and a year-long break could disrupt Holloway’s rhythm, especially as he eyes further title contention.
While the White House card remains a distant, albeit intriguing, possibility, Holloway has a much clearer vision for his immediate future: a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The two first crossed paths in August 2015 at UFC Fight Night 74 in a featherweight contest that ended prematurely and bizarrely. Just 1:39 into the first round, Oliveira suffered an esophagus injury that rendered him unable to continue, resulting in a TKO victory for Holloway. Both fighters have since ascended to become dominant forces in their respective divisions, making a rematch an immensely compelling narrative.
Holloway’s career post-2015 saw him embark on an incredible run, securing the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship and defending it multiple times against formidable opponents like José Aldo and Brian Ortega. His record stands at 26 wins and 7 losses, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Oliveira, meanwhile, experienced a remarkable career resurgence. After transitioning to the lightweight division, "Do Bronx" went on an impressive winning streak, culminating in him capturing the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship in May 2021 by defeating Michael Chandler. He successfully defended the title against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before losing it to Islam Makhachev in October 2022. Oliveira recently bounced back from a knockout loss to current featherweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC Rio in February, with a dominant decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot at the same event in October, showcasing his continued elite status.
Following his victory over Gamrot, Oliveira explicitly called for a rematch with Holloway, a challenge that Holloway is more than willing to accept. "We just have history," Holloway explained, articulating the appeal of the matchup. "Oliveira is just like me. We’re in the top of the division, and I’m sure he wants to erase his last fight to Ilia [Topuria], with Ilia being the champ. And that’s my goal, too. I have history with the champ." Holloway’s reference to his own history with Topuria stems from their highly anticipated featherweight title clash at UFC 298 in February, where Holloway was stopped by a brutal knockout in the third round. Both Holloway and Oliveira find themselves in similar positions, seeking to rebound from losses to Topuria and reclaim their status as top contenders.
The "BMF" title also adds an extra layer of intrigue to a potential Holloway-Oliveira rematch. "I think he just wants a fight to better his career and get a title fight, and why not me? There’s a BMF title on the line. A lot of people like to consider him one of the BMF’s in the division, and that would be fun, I think," Holloway commented. The BMF belt, while not a traditional divisional championship, carries significant prestige and marketability, signifying a fighter’s reputation for toughness and exciting performances. Oliveira, with his aggressive, submission-heavy style and numerous "Fight of the Night" awards, certainly fits the "BMF" archetype, making the clash a compelling proposition for fans and a significant event for the lightweight division.
As Max Holloway navigates his injury recovery and charts his next move, his focus remains bifurcated: a historical opportunity at the White House and a highly anticipated, strategically vital rematch against Charles Oliveira. The decisions made in the coming months will significantly shape the trajectory of one of the sport’s most beloved and accomplished fighters.
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