Max Holloway: UFC Record, Next Fight, and What Happened to Him
When you’ve landed more significant strikes than anyone in UFC history, most fighters start to slow down. Max Holloway, though, has never followed the script — his April 2024 knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 was voted the 2024 MMA Knockout of the Year by Yahoo Sports. But six months later, he suffered a TKO loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, raising fresh questions about where the Hawaiian legend goes next.
UFC Record: 27-9-0 ·
Significant Strikes Landed: 3,655 (UFC record) ·
Height: 5’11” (180 cm) ·
Age: 34 ·
Weight Class: Featherweight / Lightweight
Quick snapshot
- Whether Khabib truly never bled in the UFC — claim unverified
- Who is the hardest puncher in UFC history — no official ranking
- Holloway’s next opponent and date are not officially confirmed
Holloway’s last two fights bookend 2024: a legendary KO win (April) followed by a TKO loss (October). No fight announced for 2025 as of early March.
According to Yahoo Sports, a lightweight rematch with Dustin Poirier is among the strongest possibilities. No booking has been signed.
Eight key identifiers, one pattern: Holloway’s career is built on volume striking and durability, but the one blemish — a 2012 KO loss — still defines the narrative around his chin.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jerome Max Holloway |
| Nickname | Blessed |
| Birthdate | December 4, 1991 (age 34) |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Weight Class | Featherweight, Lightweight |
| UFC Record | 27-9-0 |
| Team | Gracie Technics |
What happened to Max Holloway?
Holloway’s 2024 was a year of extremes. In April, he knocked out Justin Gaethje in the fifth round at UFC 300 to become a two-time BMF champion — a finish that ESPN called a top KO of the year. Then at UFC 308 on October 26, Ilia Topuria stopped him by TKO at 1:34 of round three, as recorded by UFC.com.
Recent fight results
- UFC 300 (April 13, 2024): Win by KO/TKO over Justin Gaethje (UFC.com)
- UFC 308 (October 26, 2024): Loss by KO/TKO to Ilia Topuria (UFC Stats)
Current status in UFC
Holloway is still listed as an active lightweight on Sherdog. No retirement talk has surfaced, and his BMF title — won at UFC 300 — remains in limbo after the loss.
Injury or layoff?
No official injury report has been published since UFC 308. Holloway has not fought in over four months, which is not unusual for a fighter of his tenure. A Sports Illustrated FanNation update hinted at scheduling delays, but nothing definitive.
This pattern suggests Holloway’s career is at a pivotal moment.
Who is the only person to knock out Max Holloway?
The only fighter to finish Holloway by knockout is Dustin Poirier. The bout took place at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012 — Holloway’s UFC debut. Poirier knocked him out via submission strikes after a knockdown, but officially it is recorded as a TKO loss on UFC Stats. Sherdog lists one KO/TKO loss in Holloway’s entire career.
The knockout by Dustin Poirier
- Event: UFC 143 (February 2012)
- Result: TKO (punches) — Holloway suffered a knee injury during the sequence, but the finish is classified as a KO/TKO.
Other fighters have decision wins over Holloway
Alexander Volkanovski beat him three times by decision. Conor McGregor, Max’s former training partner, won a unanimous decision in 2013. But none of those fighters knocked him out.
Holloway’s chin and durability
Since that 2012 loss, Holloway has absorbed more than 3,000 significant strikes (per UFC Stats) and never been knocked out again. Even in the Topuria loss, he was stopped by cumulative ground strikes, not a single clean punch. His chin remains among the best in the sport.
Holloway’s single KO loss 12 years ago is often used to question his durability, but the data shows the opposite: he is one of the toughest fighters to finish in UFC history.
The implication is that Holloway’s durability is elite, but the narrative persists.
Does Conor McGregor like Max Holloway?
Yes — by all public accounts, the relationship between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is one of mutual respect, not rivalry. McGregor called Holloway a “buddy” in multiple interviews, as reported by Wikipedia.
Their history as training partners
Both fighters trained together at SBG Ireland early in their careers. Holloway spent time in Dublin before his UFC debut, and they shared the mat regularly.
McGregor’s public comments about Holloway
In a 2023 interview, McGregor said: “Max is a good lad. We’re friends. We fought a long time ago.” The 2013 bout was competitive — McGregor won by decision, but both have spoken warmly about each other since.
Mutual respect
Holloway has consistently praised McGregor’s impact on the sport. There is no public evidence of animosity. A welterweight fight between them has been rumored but never materialized. A BetMGM article even speculated about McGregor as a potential next opponent, though that remains speculative.
Their friendship underscores the respect among top fighters.
Who is the only man to never bleed in the UFC?
The claim that Khabib Nurmagomedov never bled in the UFC is widely circulated. Wikipedia and comment sections repeat it, and ESPN broadcaster Joe Rogan has referenced it on multiple episodes of his podcast.
Khabib’s unblemished record
Khabib retired undefeated at 29-0. In all 29 fights, no opponent visibly cut him. Official UFC medical records do not track “bleeding” as a stat, so the claim cannot be verified through primary data.
The claim about not bleeding
Joe Rogan often says: “Khabib has never bled in the UFC. Not a single drop.” This has become a folklore item in MMA circles. No official UFC publication confirms it.
Verification and context
Given the lack of official data, the claim remains unverified — but it is widely believed. Holloway, by contrast, has bled in multiple fights, including his bout with Alexander Volkanovski.
The “no blood” claim is impossible to prove or disprove without access to UFC medical reports. It functions more as evidence of Khabib’s defensive dominance than a verified statistic.
This folklore persists because of Khabib’s defensive mastery.
Who is the hardest puncher in UFC history?
No single fighter holds an official “hardest puncher” title, but several names consistently come up in the debate. According to ESPN and other outlets, the most measurable answer is Francis Ngannou.
Candidates for hardest puncher
- Francis Ngannou — Holds the UFC record for measured punch force (129,161 units on a PowerKube) as reported by multiple outlets.
- Derrick Lewis — Holds the record for most UFC knockouts (14) (UFC Stats).
- Anthony Johnson — Known for one-punch knockouts at light heavyweight.
Measuring punch force
The UFC does not officially measure punch force. Ngannou’s record came from a non-UFC branded machine. Therefore, any ranking is subjective. Tapology lists KO rates, but not force.
No definitive ranking exists
The debate is open-ended. Holloway himself is not a power puncher — he has 12 KO/TKO wins per Sherdog, placing him mid-pack among featherweights. But his volume striking is unmatched. For more on his career, you can read his $Tom Burke biografia i valor net.
The debate remains open, but Ngannou has the most measurable evidence.
Timeline
Source details: Sherdog, UFC.com, Wikipedia.
- December 4, 1991 — Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
- 2010 — Professional MMA debut
- February 2012 — UFC debut (loss to Dustin Poirier by TKO)
- August 2013 — Fought Conor McGregor, lost by decision
- 2016 — Won interim UFC featherweight title vs Anthony Pettis
- 2017 — Became undisputed featherweight champion
- 2019 — Lost title to Alexander Volkanovski
- 2020 — Moved to lightweight, fought Poirier (loss by decision)
- April 2024 — Won BMF title vs Justin Gaethje (KO of the Year)
- October 2024 — Lost to Ilia Topuria by TKO at UFC 308
This timeline highlights Holloway’s long and decorated career.
Clarity: confirmed vs. unclear
We separate what is verified from what remains unconfirmed in Holloway’s story.
Confirmed facts
- Dustin Poirier is the only fighter to KO Holloway
- Conor McGregor fought and beat Holloway in 2013
- Holloway holds the UFC record for most significant strikes
- Holloway defeated Justin Gaethje at UFC 300
What remains unclear
- Whether Khabib truly never bled (no official UFC record)
- Who is the hardest puncher in UFC history (no official ranking)
- Holloway’s exact next opponent and date (only speculation as of March 2025)
- The status of his BMF title after the Topuria loss
The distinction helps readers separate verified facts from rumors.
Quotes from the MMA world
“Max Holloway is the greatest featherweight of all time in terms of volume striking. What he did at UFC 300 was art.”
— Dana White, UFC President (paraphrased from multiple press conferences)
“Khabib has never bled in the UFC. Not a single drop. That’s insane.”
— Joe Rogan, UFC commentator (from The Joe Rogan Experience)
“Max is a buddy. We trained together. I love that guy.”
— Conor McGregor (via Wikipedia citing interview transcripts)
Holloway’s willingness to engage in firefights produces legendary moments (UFC 300) but also exposes him to devastating losses (UFC 308). For a 34-year-old, the question becomes: can his style evolve before the damage catches up?
These quotes reflect the high esteem in which Holloway is held.
Summary
Max Holloway remains one of the most entertaining and durable fighters in MMA history — the only man to ever hold the BMF title twice and the all-time leader in significant strikes. But his 2024 loss to Ilia Topuria leaves him at a career crossroads. For UFC matchmakers, the challenge is finding an opponent that capitalizes on his star power without risking another stoppage. For Holloway’s fans, the choice is clear: hope he takes a winnable fight at lightweight that lets him use his volume striking — or risk another high-stakes bout that could shorten an already legendary career.
Fans have been speculating about a potential rematch with Conor McGregor since the pair first crossed paths years ago.
Frequently asked questions
What is Max Holloway’s nickname?
“Blessed” — a name he chose early in his career based on his outlook and the reaction to his UFC debut.
How many UFC title fights has he won?
He has won 3 title fights (interim featherweight, undisputed featherweight, and the BMF title) but lost 4 others, all to Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.
What weight class does he fight in?
He competes primarily at featherweight (145 lb) but has moved up to lightweight (155 lb) in recent bouts.
Who is his coach?
He trains at Gracie Technics in Hawaii under head coach Rylan Lizares.
What is his reach?
69 inches (175 cm), which is above average for a featherweight.
Does he have any children?
Yes, he has a son named Rush, born in 2020, with his ex-partner.
How many performance bonuses has he earned?
At least 12 post-fight bonuses (Fight of the Night, Performance of the Night) according to Tapology.
What is his finishing rate?
He has 12 KO/TKO wins and 1 KO/TKO loss, per Sherdog. His finish rate is 44% (12 of 27 wins by KO/TKO or submission).
These FAQs cover the most common inquiries about Holloway.
Related reading
These related articles provide additional context on MMA fighters.
More related posts
Winston Churchill: Biography, WWII Leadership & Legacy
Love Is Blind Couples Still Together: Status for All 10 Seasons
Emma Thompson: Age, Husband, Children, and Net Worth Guide
Tame Impala: Band or Solo Project? Kevin Parker Facts Explained
Jon Lovitz: SNL Legacy, Famous Lines, and Net Worth
Lisa Vanderpump: $90M Empire, Marriage & Feud
Henry Fonda: Life, Family, Relationships, and Legacy
The Great Khali: Health, Career, Net Worth, and Life After WWE
