Max Holloway’s 2025 UFC absence due to hand injury impacts lightweight division; recovery updates and career implications ...

Right now, names like Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and even Paddy Pimblett are all in the mix, keeping the division as competitive as ever.

The issue for Gaethje is he's in the running with the likes of Max Holloway, Arman Tsarukyan, and possibly Paddy Pimblett, as well.

Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) captured the BMF strap at UFC 300 in April 2024 when he scored a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje.

Gaethje's caught between a rock and a hard place. Following UFC 318, Max Holloway is the No. 3-ranked lightweight fighter, not Gaethje.* Gaethje occupies the No. 4 spot, and Pimblett at No. 8.

Meanwhile, Gaethje is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, a strong rebound after his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, which cost him his BMF belt.

Max Holloway (blue gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images ...

Gaethje acknowledges that Holloway, who just beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 this past Saturday, and Arman Tsarukyan should also be in the running. However, he thinks he should be the selection.

There’s no doubt Max Holloway has once again proved he’s the true BMF. From Jorge Masvidal to Justin Gaethje, the belt has changed hands, but after knocking out Gaethje, it firmly sits with ...

Max beat Justin Gaethje when he was a No. 1 contender, and Poirier, who just fought for the title. So, he’s literally beat the two top guys, main guys that you need to beat to get a title shot… ...

Holloway swapped places with Justin Gaethje, who dropped to No. 5, while Poirier, who announced his retirement following the bout, was removed from the rankings entirely.

Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight at UFC 318 was long in the making. The buildup began with Poirier’s emotional retirement announcement during the 2025 NFL ...