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Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway turned in another classic this past Saturday when he defeated Yair Rodriguez.
It was another spectacular performance and proved why 'Blessed' is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. Holloway defeated yet another ranked featherweight and left no doubt about who the top contender in the division is.
It'll be interesting to see what Holloway does next because he wasn't adamant about wanting the trilogy with Volkanovski. There are plenty of possibilities for Holloway and it looks like he'll evaluate his options and accept the most appealing fight.
Judging by his post-fight interview, Holloway seems a lot more open to fighting at lightweight, which could lead to many intriguing matchups.
Whether Holloway chooses to remain at featherweight or attempt another move to lightweight, there'll be no shortage of fun matchups. This list looks at 5 possbile opponents for Max Holloway, whether he chooses to stay at featherweight or move to lightweight.
#5. Max Holloway vs. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski
Following Holloway's victory over Rodriguez, the most obvious opponent would be UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a trilogy bout.
Holloway didn't have to accept the fight with Rodriguez but he did so anyway. His win over Calvin Kattar earlier this year was more than enough to warrant another title shot. Instead, Holloway chose to remain active and take on another top-5 opponent.
Although Volkanovski had officially won both fights against Holloway, many felt Holloway should've been awarded the decision win in the second bout. Therefore, a trilogy bout makes sense as the second fight was viewed as a controversial split-decision win for Volkanovski. The trilogy will allow both fighters to settle the debate once and for all on who the better fighter is.
Timing will be an important factor on whether the fight comes to fruition or not. Holloway absorbed many significant strikes in his five-round unanimous decision win over Rodriguez. With that said, he may need some more time to heal before getting back into a full training camp.
The timing of the bout may be a problem for Volkanovski, who stated that he'd like to remain active. Volkanovski has previously voiced his frustration with his long layoff and his intention to fight in early 2022.
#4. Max Holloway vs. Chan Sung Jung
If Holloway chooses to take some time off and fight another top contender, Chan Sung Jung would be a perfect opponent.
Depending on what direction the UFC go in with Volkanovski, Holloway vs 'The Korean Zombie' would be a great matchup. Jung is coming off a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige, which got him back in title contention.
Chan Sung Jung's post-fight press conference was interesting because he called out Holloway and his comments added fuel to the fire. 'The Korean Zombie' shared his thoughts on the former champion and even brought up his power.
"Max, he doesn't have punching power, but I have punching power. I can beat him." - Chan Sung Jung post-fight UFC Vegas 29
Holloway vs 'The Korean Zombie' would be an interesting standup bout. Jung has the knockout power to stop Holloway.
However, the former champion's resilience and overwhelming pace could also make for a difficult night for Chan Sung Jung. Holloway maintains the same pace for a full five-rounds and the volume of his strikes has tested his opponents' durability.
#3. Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje
If Max Holloway decides to attempt another move to lightweight, former interim champion Justin Gaethje would be a great matchup.
The famous saying 'styles make fights' would definitely apply to a Holloway-Gaethje bout. After Gaethje's win over Michael Chandler, he should get the next lightweight title shot, but stranger things have happened.
Should Gaethje not receive the next title shot against the winner of Oliveira-Poirier, Holloway vs. Gaethje would be the next best thing.
A bout between Holloway and Gaethje wouldn't be too far fetched. During an interview with ESPN, Gaethje revealed that he thought the fight was previously a possibility.
"With Brian Ortega [and] Volkanovski being tied up with The Ultimate Fighter, I thought maybe he might want to come up to lightweight and try his hand."
Although the fight seemed like an option at the time, it didn't work out. Instead, Gaethje fought Chandler and Holloway fought Rodriguez.
Perhaps with Holloway being more open to lightweight bouts, the UFC could revisit this fight and book Holloway-Gaethje at some point.
#2. Max Holloway vs. UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira
Another possible opponent for Max Holloway is current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
Prior to his move to lightweight, Oliveira competed at 145lbs, where he experienced his fair share of ups and downs. After going on a four-fight winning streak, Oliveira matched up with Holloway in an attempt to get closer to a title shot. Holloway won the fight via first-round TKO after Oliveira sustained an injury.
After the fight, both Holloway and Oliveira's careers went in different directions. Holloway ended up capturing the UFC featherweight championship and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history. Oliveira on the other hand, had trouble making the 145lb featherweight limit and eventually returned to lightweight.
A loss to Paul Felder in 2017 was the only setback for Oliveira, who is currently on a nine-fight winning streak. Oliveira captured the UFC lightweight championship with his TKO win over Michael Chandler in May.
He also broke the UFC record for most finishes in the promotion's history thanks to the Chandler bout with 17. A Holloway-Oliveira rematch would certainly be intriguing at 155lbs and could be a possibility if Holloway moved up to lightweight.
#1. Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor
Topping this list of possible opponents for Max Holloway is former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Since Holloway cemented his legacy at 145lbs, he's been constantly linked to a rematch with McGregor. Both Holloway and McGregor fought at featherweight early on in their UFC careers. McGregor was victorious that clash, however, both men have grown since 2013.
It wouldn't be the first time a high-profile featherweight rematch has taken place at 155lbs. Both Holloway and McGregor had rematches with Dustin Poirier at 155lbs.
Holloway fought Poirier for the interim-UFC lightweight championship at 236, while McGregor had two rematches with Poirier this year alone.
With that in mind, Holloway vs. McGregor 2 would make sense and could generate plenty of interest on pay-per-view. Holloway mentioned that he's on McGregor's shortlist of opponents and 'The Notorious' took to Twitter to criticize his former foe.
McGregor brought up the amount of head strikes Holloway has absorbed to dismiss his claim of being the UFC's best boxer. With the recent talk, the two former champions seem more than open to the idea of a rematch.
