There are a million reasons why Dana White loves Max Holloway, but the former featherweight king’s now iconic point-at-the-ground moments are by far his favorite.
Blessed’ delivered another sensational performance at UFC 318. Putting his BMF belt on the line, Holloway outgunned Dustin Poirier in enemy territory, defeating the ex-interim champion in his hometown and sending ‘The Diamond’ into retirement on a disappointing note.
In the final 10 seconds of their instant classic, Holloway pointed to the canvas, just as he did against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, calling for the two to slug it out in the waning moments.
“When you see Max do his point at the ground in the last 10 seconds, is there any part of you that thinks… you’re going to have to stop doing this event? No,” White said following Saturday’s main event in NOLA. “I go, ‘Oh, hell yeah.’ Max is like the only guy who actually wants to do that, and it’s one of the million reasons why people love him.”
With 318 officially in the books, so is Poirier’s legendary career.
Max Holloway could be in line for a rematch with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria
As for Holloway, the reigning BMF champion may be staring down the barrel of a rematch with former featherweight foe Ilia Topuria.
“I think he’s in a great position right now,” White said when asked what’s next for Holloway. “He just defended that BMF title, he’s ranked No. 4 there. Anything is possible for Max right now.”
After coming up short against Topuria last year, Holloway made the move up to lightweight, where he now sits as the fifth-ranked contender courtesy of his win over Poirier. Meanwhile, ‘El Matador’ has already laid claim to the division, brutally KO’ing Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant 155-pound title.
Now, it looks like the stage is set for Holloway to get one more crack at the undefeated Georgian sensation in late 2025 or early 2026.
