Max Holloway has been able to do it all at featherweight being able to clinch and defend the featherweight title. However, he is no less ambitious when he comes to his expectations when it comes to his return to the lightweight division.
Max Holloway Is Moving Back to Lightweight
Max Holloway recently went public when he made it official that he plans on moving back up in weight. Holloway will be joining the UFC’s lightweight division following a 12-year run that saw him compete primarily in the featherweight division. Not only did he compete, but, he was able to reign as the featherweight champion between 2017 to 2019. Holloway did have the chance to become the champion once again when he faced off against the current champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. However, Ilia would be the one who came out victorious being able to hand Max Holloway his first knockout defeat.
Moving from one deep division to another, Max Holloway is looking to go and follow in the footsteps of the current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. This is due to Pereira having defeated former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya for the title in just his fourth fight in the UFC. However, Alex Pereria would go on to drop the title in the immediate rematch against Adesanya. However, Alex Pereira would get back up two fights later fighting and being victorious in clinching the light heavyweight title. This was when he defeated Jiri Prochazka for the first time.
During a recent Kick stream, Max Holloway would go on to call Alex Pereira an inspiration;
“155, cannot wait,” Holloway said. “All I know is, we saw Alex Pereira get finished [by Adesanya], right? Next fight he fought for a No. 1 contender spot. Fought for the title and he’s on a title run right now, a spectacular title run. Let’s mimic it. Let’s do it.”
Alex Pereira Title Regin
Since being able to capture the light heavyweight title, Alex Pereira has been able to successfully defend the title three times in 2024. This has since made him one of the most valuable players in the UFC. Alex Pereira is a former kickboxing champion and still has plenty of fights ahead of him. This is with the number one contender Magomed Ankalaev breathing down his neck as well as the all-time great Jon Jones stating his preference would be to fight Alex Pereira should he continue competing after his fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. If Max Holloway’s light heavyweight chapter is anywhere close to how Alex Pereira went and reinvented himself then he will be more than pleased. Speaking Holloway said;
“I get inspiration in that”,
“He’s a beast.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
