- Fans are buzzing about Max Holloway’s appearance during the UFC 308 weigh-ins
- “Blessed” is laser-focused on reclaiming his title in his return to 145
Max Holloway got fans worried about how his weight-cutting went down for his upcoming title fight with Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.
Max looked too drained
Holloway hit the scale and didn’t have a problem making 145 pounds for his featherweight title bout with Topuria. However, online MMA fans were bothered by how “Blessed” looked as most of them thought he was too drained heading into the fight.
Some even suggest that Holloway should’ve just stayed at 155, having found massive success at lightweight in his last fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Here's Max Holloway's last four weigh-ins at 145-pounds. Looks no more drained than normal for this one. pic.twitter.com/E6byMosudN
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) October 25, 2024
Check out what some of them had to say below:
“It’s not a max Holloway fight week if people don’t pretend to be weight cutting experts and act like he’s struggling.”
“It’s a combination for me of the cut after a long time and after being up a weight, the career mileage and strikes absorbed, AND throwing heavy sparring back into his training for Gaethje, taking a knockdown, and heavy sparring for this camp. Still my pick, but worried somewhat.”
“I don’t like the way he looked at the weigh-in, and I don’t like the way he looked at the presser. Looks like he had a bad cut this time, and that worries me going against someone who hits as hard as Ilia. Unless Max wins, I don’t wanna see him at 145 anymore after this fight.”
“No… he just has hair 😭😭🤣”
“I’d argue he looks better.”
“He looks straight out of thriller in the bottom one.”
“Not totally sure if he’s more drained or if his frame is naturally bigger from going to lightweight.”
“He’s not the same at 145, no power at all. Should’ve stayed at 155 now I’m pissed.”
“He looks drained in all of these, and it just goes to show why he should stick to 155 IMO. His performances have been piss poor at 145 lately.”
“It’s not like his cardio will be an issue.”
Max wants his title back
There has been some back-and-forth between Holloway and Topuria ahead of their showdown. Topuria previously said that he would do Holloway’s signature point-down gesture early in the fight. “Blessed” then hit back and said “El Matador” hasn’t earned the right to do that and he is nothing but a Conor McGregor copycat.
Holloway is making his return to featherweight following his historic last-second knockout win over Gaethje at 155. Heading into match, “Blessed” is focused on reclaiming his title while Topuria will look to defend his belt for the first time.