Max Holloway says Justin Gaethje hits harder than anyone else he’s fought This Saturday, two of Gaethje’s former opponents met in the main event of UFC 318, as Max Holloway defeated Dustin ...

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.

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.

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.

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

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… ...

Max Holloway said he wanted to play spoiler and he did it Saturday night in the main event. Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier in a unanimous decision to retain the UFC BMF Championship in UFC 318 ...

While Pimblett expects the next title shot, contenders like Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Arman Tsarukyan are also waiting in the wings.

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 ...

Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier are set to meet for the third time, headlining UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The BMF title is up for grabs, and for Poirier, it ...

Max Holloway says Justin Gaethje hits harder than anyone else he’s fought This Saturday, two of Gaethje’s former opponents met in the main event of UFC 318, as Max Holloway defeated Dustin ...