Topuria and Holloway: rematch in sight?

The fact that the BMF title wasn’t up for grabs when Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway clashed at UFC 308 last October left many fans - and even Topuria himself - scratching their heads.

Holloway “in a great position”, says UFC chief

But after Holloway’s recent successful defense of the symbolic belt against Dustin Poirier at the weekend, a rematch between “El Matador” and “Blessed” for the UFC lightweight title is looking more and more like a real possibility.

“I think he’s a in a great positing right now […] anything is possible for Max right now,” UFC CEO Dana White told a press conference after the UFC 318 fight.

After an epic victory over Poirier, Holloway is back in the win column, rebounding from the first knockout loss of his career - delivered by Topuria.

Now ranked No. 5 in the lightweight division and riding a wave of momentum, Holloway has emerged as a serious contender for the 155-pound strap, especially with no clear opponent lined up for the reigning champ.

“The belt wasn’t on the line. Get over it, brother”

As for the BMF title, it appears it won’t be contested again anytime soon. Charles Oliveira is reportedly next in line to face Holloway, who has laughed off Topuria’s claims to having the BMF title on his resumé.

Although the belt wasn’t officially at stake during Holloway and Topuria’s featherweight-title bout at UFC 308, the Hispano-Georgian has since referred to himself as a BMF winner, even having a replica belt made for himself.

“It just makes no sense what he’s doing walking around with it, you know?” Holloway said during the UFC 318 post-fight press conference.

“Did you see Islam [Makhachev] walking around with a champion belt after beating [Alexander] Volk[anovski] two times? The belt wasn’t on the line. Get over it, brother. Why are you spending money on that damn fucking belt?”

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