Max Holloway Eyes Fights With Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev After BMF Win
Max Holloway has made it clear that his ambitions at lightweight extend beyond just one big‑name fight. In recent comments, he laid out a short list of potential matchups at 155 pounds while still holding the BMF title he won from Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, all of which keep him in the conversation as a crossover draw and a legit threat to the UFC’s top lightweight picture.
Max Holloway Wants McGregor Rematch and Makhachev Bout at Lightweight
Speaking with Stake, ‘Blessed’ Max Hollooway explained:
“I want Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev at Lightweight. The belt is definitely the goal, but I also have the BMF title, which I’m super proud of, and it opens up a lot of really interesting fights. Then we have a certain Conor McGregor wanting to make his return to the cage. You know, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t take that fight – it’s Conor McGregor, man, you have to take that fight.
“We obviously have our history, and I think it would be great at The White House. Another one I had history with is Khabib. You know, he’s retired, but I feel like Islam is part of that team, and I’d like a shot at Islam as well. I think we’re in a really great position with some exciting fights ahead.”
Holloway’s path back to the lightweight conversation started with a 15‑round‑style war against Dustin Poirier in 2018, a bout where he moved up on short notice and went five rounds with the then‑title contender, later admitting he was not in the right shape for 155 pounds. Ahead of UFC 300, he spoke about the time he spent preparing his body for 155, saying he was careful not to add too much bulk so he could keep the speed that defines his style at featherweight. That same fight‑night at UFC 300, Holloway dug deep against Justin Gaethje, lasted 25 minutes, and snatched the BMF belt with a 1‑second‑remaining knockout that instantly became one of the most replayed finishes of the year.
The BMF title has now become a key part of his narrative. Holloway has pointed out that the belt is not just a gimmick; it carries weight in the room because it tends to sit around the waists of fighters fans regard as the division’s most dangerous and entertaining options. He has said he likes the odds of defending that belt, even on a UFC White House‑style card, and has floated the idea of a matchup against a top lightweight from the upper tier of the division, such as Charles Oliveira, as a next step.
The Conor McGregor angle runs back to 2013, when a younger Holloway met a rising McGregor in a three‑round bout that ended with McGregor winning by decision. Both men have since become champions and pay‑per‑view draws, but they never lined up for a rematch. Holloway has made it clear that he would not turn down a second date with McGregor, especially if it could happen at lightweight and with the BMF belt on the line. He has also said that with McGregor’s official return, the matchup would be one of the biggest in the sport, even if it is not a division‑championship fight.
The Makhachev connection ties back to the Khabib Nurmagomedov era. Holloway has previously referenced Islam as “Khabib 2.0,” acknowledging that Makhachev represents the core of the same Dagestani team that once dominated the division. Holloway has admitted that Makhachev did not want to fight him at certain points, even when Holloway was openly talking about moving up to 155, but he has said Makhachev’s tone about the matchup has shifted in recent conversations. A fight with Makhachev would put Holloway in line for a true lightweight title bout, while also serving as a legacy‑style test against the most technically sound grappler in the division.
In short, Holloway is positioning himself as a bridge between the featherweight and lightweight worlds. He still views the UFC 155‑pound title as the main goal, but he plans to use the BMF belt, his history with Conor McGregor, and the Khabib–Makhachev narrative to stay in the spotlight while he waits for the right matchup and timing.
