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UFC is the zenith of MMA platforms where to be the best, one has to overcome the best, and per one gritty brawler, the ‘Best is Blessed’. But out to prove himself the best in a whole other weight class, should Max Holloway leave back traces in his old division? That’s what Holloway has been asking before UFC 318.

When he did it the first time against Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway had a rugged hydration and shifted up to 155 pounds. However, his second time at lightweight happened at the milestone UFC 300 PPV lineup last April. ‘Blessed’ had a more fulfilling shift, and the results showed with a monstrous KO.

Now, after last October, the Hawaiian superstar has made a more long-lasting move to lightweight and plans to remain there. Moreover, it’s doubly beneficial as he failed a bid at Ilia Topuria’s 145-pound crown, and ‘El Matador’ now holds the belt at lightweight. It’s a PPV title rematch the 33-year-old has been looking forward to for a while.

For now, though, he has his next assignment at the UFC 318 PPV main event. Holloway goes to war at the top order against a lightweight fighter who is ready to bleed for it in his legacy retirement. So, if the competition pits him against a 155-pounder, Holloway is fumbling as to why he is still ranked at featherweight?

I don’t know what you guys are thinking keeping me number one contender there, …because that’s kind of ridiculous; I’m not going back to 145lbs, I’m over it and it feels good it feels great on them days where you go harder…being able to recover good with meals and eating a little more protein, it’s much better than just toughing it out

Max Holloway in a pre-fight UFC 318 media interview with MMAJunkie

At UFC 308 PPV headliner at the Etihad Arena, Holloway’s last featherweight bout was against Topuria, which resulted in his first career KO slump. Despite making his permanent move up to 155 lbs, the gritty Hawaiian is still ranked as the #1-ranked 145-pounder.

MMA media is the one making the rankings as the UFC has outsourced the ranking system to not be biased at all. However, Dana White and other fighters have taken up issue with the ranking system of the MMA media. The UFC boss has also spoke about introducing an AI system.

This is a general caveat against unfair representation as Renato Moicano felt the same way last year. Since, Holloway has no plans to fight as a featherweight anymore, the appropriate measure would see him get pulled out of the rankings. As such, Holloway is also hoping to avoid the ominous ranking setup that has plagued many in the past.

Rankings in the UFC is an issue for Max Holloway ahead of BMF title fight

With the UFC 318 PPV main event being the final fight of Poirier’s career, the discussion before the legendary trilogy bout is focused on his longevity and clinical brawls in the sport. UFC boss Dana White has praised Poirier as an “all-time great” and billed the entire niche event around him. It’s a matter and take on pride now.

Max Holloway hopes to reverse the outcome of their first two fights. ‘The Diamond’ has bagged a ‘W’ in both of their previous matchups. Poirier nearly ripped Holloway’s arm off in his UFC debut and then outpointed him for the interim title in 2019.

But that was a jagged weight cut at 155 pounds, and this is a more gritty and matured Holloway with the scars. This is also a different encounter altogether, with him defending the BMF title. Max Holloway would also like to avoid another ominous trilogy slump; he is 0-3 against now-champ, all-time great, and Aussie legend Alexander Volkanovski as well.

So, while ‘The Diamond’ has teased a swan song is in store for his final walk to the cage, tracked to rap legend Lil Wayne, the rival has other plans. Holloway has made a cathartic request to keep him out of the ranking mishap, as he does not get it, and never did.

It’s ridiculous, …I don’t understand. The rankings care…but I don’t get it, the rankings are all over the place. We go back to the Gaethje fight and Gaethje was the number one contender…at 155lbs and he was what, ranked four or five at the time? …thought [definitely] when the rankings came out I wouldn’t come out at number nine, that’s just ridiculous… The rankings are all over the place.

Max Holloway further said to MMAJunkie

The stakes are higher than ever, with both fighters having a lot to get back to or make a point on. Per DraftKings Sportsbooks, Poirier opened a -115 favorite on the money line to beat the BMF champion and former UFC featherweight king. Holloway, a moderate -105 underdog, has a lot to prove in this scrapper.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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