Holloway Says UFC Delayed Topuria Matchup
Max Holloway said he believed the UFC kept Ilia Topuria away from him before their 2024 title fight. Topuria won by knockout, per the UFC.
Holloway’s view of the matchup
In comments reported by MMA Junkie, Holloway said he thought he had been matched with other contenders “for a reason” and suggested the UFC had been “shelling” Topuria away from him. Holloway had fought top names including Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez and Arnold Allen before receiving the title shot.
At the time, Topuria had earned his title opportunity with wins over Bryce Mitchell and Josh Emmett, then defeated Alexander Volkanovski to become champion. The matchup with Holloway was booked for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26, 2024.
The result at UFC 308
Topuria retained the featherweight title by knocking Holloway out at 1:34 of the third round. It was Holloway’s first knockout loss. The UFC’s official event report records the result.
Holloway’s remark captured his own belief about the timing of the matchup, rather than proof of the UFC’s matchmaking motives. The long-awaited fight eventually happened, with Topuria keeping the belt.
What followed
Topuria left featherweight, won the vacant lightweight title with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira in 2025, then lost the belt to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026. Topuria’s UFC record and Gaethje’s record list the results.
Holloway defended his BMF title against Dustin Poirier in 2025, lost it to Oliveira at UFC 326 in March 2026, then beat Conor McGregor by first-round TKO at UFC 329 in July. The UFC’s official Holloway profile and UFC 329 results document his later run.
Sources
Tags: MMA
