UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has dominated the division for years, winning 13 straight fights at 145 pounds. On December 15, he'll defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski in the co-main event of UFC 245. If he wins, it will be his fourth successful title defense. What happens after that remains to be seen, but Holloway told the media that he believes he must move to another division and win in order to cement his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters.
"I want to be the best mixed martial artist in the world and being the best mixed martial artist in the world is not a guy who stays in his weight and dominates his weight," Holloway said.
"It is someone who goes to whatever weight. So whoever is the best guys in the world, you guys tell me. I've got a couple belts I want to fight for. The [lightweight], of course. You've got Khabib [Nurmagomedov], because he's one of the best guys in the world."
Khabib Nurmagomedov is a perfect 28-0 professionally and has no shortage of suitors looking to hand him his first loss. He
will be defending his belt next against Tony Ferguson on April 18.
Holloway actually made his lightweight debut earlier this year, fighting Dustin Poirier for the interim title at UFC 236 on April 13. He fought on relatively short-notice and lost by unanimous decision, but the Hawaii native believes he can not only compete at lightweight, but also as heavy as middleweight (185 pounds).
"I don't know about holding belts all at one time," Holloway said.
"But nobody has gotten three at one time. I just turned 28. I can see myself to even getting to 185 and being healthy and getting strong there."
Holloway admitted that he isn't sure if he will move up after the Volkanovski fight, provided he wins. Brian Ortega and Jose Aldo are the two next featherweight contenders following Volkanovski and Holloway has already beaten both of them.
"We'll see what happens," Holloway said.
"I don't know. A king defends his throne and my throne is here at '45. But if there's an opportunity at '55, why not? If it's defending or fighting for belts, whatever. It's not even the belts that intrigue me. It's being the best martial artist in the world that intrigues me. So whoever you think is the best guy, let me fight him. Let me at him. The belt is just the topping, the cherry on top."