Former featherweight and BMF champion Max Holloway has revealed that he could call out Justin Gaethje if he gets past Conor McGregor in the UFC 329 main event.
Holloway is set to face McGregor in a huge welterweight clash on July 11. The bout marks his first appearance at 170 pounds and comes against a familiar opponent, with the pair having previously met in 2013. While ‘The Notorious’ won their first meeting, both fighters have changed drastically since then, making the rematch one of the most anticipated bouts on the UFC calendar.
Speaking exclusively to Stake.com ahead of the fight, Holloway was asked whether he would call out newly crowned undisputed lightweight champion Gaethje if he beats the Irishman. ‘Blessed’ made it clear that the immediate focus remains on getting the job done, but admitted that a Gaethje callout is firmly possible.
Holloway said:
“Yeah, we see what happens. We see the way, you know? I got to go out there, I got to do my job, you know? If I do the job the way I want to do my job and get the job done, for sure I’d call [Justin Gaethje] out.”
Max Holloway Eyes Lightweight Title Shot After Conor McGregor Fight
Max Holloway’s comments are significant given the current state of the lightweight title picture. Gaethje captured the undisputed 155-pound title after defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, ending the Spaniard’s unbeaten run and completely reshaping the division.
‘Blessed’ already shares major history with Gaethje. Their unforgettable UFC 300 clash produced one of the most iconic finishes in modern MMA, with Holloway knocking out ‘The Highlight’ in the final seconds after pointing to the center of the Octagon and inviting a wild exchange. However, with Gaethje now holding undisputed gold, a rematch would carry far greater stakes.
Check out Max Holloway’s knockout against Justin Gaethje below:
Holloway also suggested that the winner of his fight with McGregor could find themselves in an unusually strong position, with title opportunities potentially available at both lightweight and welterweight.
He added:
“You know, people are already talking about how the winner of this fight gets the fight for that title, and then how the winner of this fight also might be able to fight for the 170 title. Who knows, you know? So, at the end of the day, I just got to go out there and get the job done.”
The Hawaiian admitted that a shot at the 155-pound title after UFC 329 would be an attractive option, saying it “would be nice.”
For now, Holloway must first handle business against McGregor. But if he beats ‘The Notorious’ in their long-awaited rematch, a blockbuster title fight against Gaethje could quickly become one of the biggest stories in the sport.
About The Author
