Max Holloway takes issue with Paddy Pimblett as he claims ‘UFC love drama’

Max Holloway rubbishes UFC lightweight rankings

Currently sitting at number four in the official lightweight stack, Holloway is placed behind the above-mentioned Oliveira, as well as Arman Tsarukyan and former champion Islam Makhachev.

However, expected to miss out on a rematch with Ilia Topuria, despite his status above potential challenger Justin Gaethje, Holloway has called the rankings into question — particularly the recent climb of the inactive Pimblett.

“I wouldn’t even look at the rankings. UFC is going to do what UFC does. You need to have spectacular fights. You need to get your name out there,” Holloway told Uncrowned.

“I felt like after the last one [a win over Dustin Poirier in July], maybe we could have got a shot, but there’s Justin (Gaethje), there’s Arman (Tsarukyan) — they got big fights coming up. And then I know UFC loves drama, and there’s drama there with Paddy (Pimblett).”

Max Holloway campaigns for Charles Oliveira re-run

Receiving a callout from Sao Paulo megastar Oliveira off the back of his win over Mateusz Gamrot earlier this month, Holloway is all ears to the pairing.

Initially sharing the Octagon at a forgotten event in Saskatoon during their featherweight days, the bout ended in anticlimactic circumstances in the opening round.

“That’s the fight I want. That’s a fight a lot of people want to see,” Holloway said. “We have history. There aren’t too many people right now that people are considering BMFs. But on that very short list, Charles Oliveira is one of them.”