Max Holloway’s next move remains uncertain, but former UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier believes the former featherweight champion has earned the right to pursue only the biggest fights available.
Holloway most recently competed at UFC 329 in July, defeating Conor McGregor after McGregor suffered a knee injury in the opening round. Following the victory, Holloway indicated that he was interested in pursuing another major opportunity, potentially at either lightweight or welterweight.
During a recent livestream, Holloway said he hoped his next fight could be a title shot at 155 pounds, where he already owns a knockout victory over current undisputed lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, or at 170 pounds, where he made his first appearance against McGregor.
Poirier discussed Holloway’s situation alongside former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman on Monday’s episode of the Deep Waters podcast.
“I think he's earned the right through his body of work to say this,” Poirier said. “It's big fights only, man. You know, he was a featherweight champion. He has a knockout win over the current undisputed lightweight champion. It's only big fights. He was a BMF champion. What else can he do? Big fights only.”
While Poirier endorsed Holloway’s pursuit of marquee matchups, Weidman was less convinced that a welterweight title opportunity would materialize immediately.
“I don't see him getting the welterweight shot, like, immediately. I don't think that's going to happen,” Weidman said. “But I think 55, him versus Gaethje, makes a lot of sense.”
Weidman also acknowledged that Holloway could wait for another bout with McGregor, but warned against allowing that possibility to keep him inactive for too long.
“And I also do think him waiting for Conor, yes, he could do that,” Weidman said. “But I don't want to see him going out like Chandler, you know, like waiting forever. It's going to be a while, you know, until Conor's back. We don't know when.”
