Max Holloway Leaves Featherweight Behind, Commits to Lightweight

Max Holloway has officially closed the featherweight chapter of his career. The former UFC featherweight champion has announced that he is done cutting down to 145 pounds and is now fully focused on his future in the lightweight division. Ahead of his highly anticipated trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 in New Orleans on July 19 — a clash for the symbolic BMF title —

Holloway confirmed that his days at featherweight are firmly in the past.

The Hawaiian star, known for his relentless pace and granite chin, made the decision after years of competing across both weight classes. While his forays into the lightweight division were initially rare and mission-based, Holloway now insists the move is permanent.

“I just figured, '55 is much funner," Holloway told MMA Junkie in an interview coordinated by Stake.com. "I get to eat a bunch more, and I just get to do my thing at '55. So, at the end of the day, it was a no-brainer to stay there."

Holloway previously moved up to lightweight in 2019 to challenge Poirier for the interim title but came up short via decision. He returned to featherweight afterward, defending his belt against Frankie Edgar and continuing to fight the division's best. However, his spectacular knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 earlier this year reignited his run at 155 pounds. That fight — hailed by many as the Knockout of the Year — marked a pivotal moment in his career.

He briefly returned to 145 pounds to challenge Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title but suffered the first knockout loss of his career. That experience, both mentally and physically, solidified his decision to commit to the lightweight division permanently.

“The last two '55 fights, I had business that I wanted to take care of going back down a weight class, so we went hard and we did it the right way,” Holloway explained. “We knew that hey, man, if the weight gotta come off, then the weight gotta come off... I don't know what the UFC or, I mean, you guys are the ones who vote on the rankings, right? I don't know what you guys are thinking keeping me No. 1 contender there, 'cause that's kind of ridiculous. I'm not going back down to '45. I'm over it."

Currently ranked No. 1 in the UFC’s official featherweight standings and No. 5 at lightweight, Holloway wants his name removed from the 145-pound rankings. He sees no point in being listed in a division he has no plans of returning to and has also expressed frustration with the inconsistency of UFC rankings in general.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "I don't understand. I mean, the rankings period, bro, I don't get it... At the end of the day, the rankings, they're all over the place."

Despite his grievances, Holloway remains focused on what lies ahead. He acknowledges his history with Topuria, who now holds the featherweight belt, and sees potential for a rematch in a new weight class if the stars align. But his immediate attention is on Poirier — a veteran opponent set to make his final walk to the Octagon.

"I have a history with the champion, I have a history with the man who just fought the champion,” Holloway said. “First things first is Dustin Poirier, of course. Rankings doesn't really mean nothing. Anybody can step up at any time UFC come knocking at your door, you just gotta be ready."

No longer burdened by the extreme weight cut to featherweight, Holloway is poised to make a serious run in the lightweight division — and he’s ready for whoever comes next.