Max Holloway reveals what he must do against Dustin Poirier to jump the queue and fight Ilia Topuria ...Middle East

Max Holloway feels he must create another spectacular ‘moment’ against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318.

And that’s because ‘Blessed’ believes doing that would put him in the best position to fight Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title next.

Holloway will complete the longest-standing trilogy in the promotion’s history when he headlines UFC 318 against Poirier on July 19.

Poirier has asserted that the fight is his last dance in the famous Octagon, and he will retire after the bout.

Holloway, however, has different plans, as he is still thirsty for another crack at UFC gold.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, the 33-year-old from Hawaii was asked if he can jump the queue at lightweight to fight newly crowned champion Topuria through a win over Poirier.

“Yeah, you’re only as good as your last fight,” he responded.

“UFC is about moments. If you go out there and make a moment, just like with [UFC] 300 – we have the chance to make moments. 

“If I can go out there [against Poirier], get a moment, and make everybody excited about it, who’s to say I’m not fighting for a title come the end of the year or early next year?”

Holloway suffered the first knockout of his career in his last fight nine months ago against Topuria, who then knocked out Charles Oliveira in June to become the new UFC lightweight champion.

This came after ‘Blessed’ delivered arguably the greatest knockout in the sport’s history at UFC 300 in April when he floored Justin Gaethje with just one second remaining in their BMF title bout.

The ex-featherweight champion now believes that if he produces something similar against Poirier, 36, he will no doubt be in with a shot at UFC gold.

But Holloway isn’t the only one who believes he should be fighting for the strap at 155 lbs next.

No. 4-ranked lightweight Gaethje, 36, has previously admitted that he will follow Poirier’s footsteps and retire if he is not awarded a title shot next.

‘The Highlight’ bounced back from his iconic defeat to Holloway last April by outpointing Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.

Gaethje even named Madison Square Garden, New York, and November as the ideal venue and date for the title fight, while asserting he would ‘love’ to knockout Topuria.

Paddy Pimblett, 30, meanwhile, is arguably the frontrunner right now to face Topuria in the latter’s first lightweight title defence.

The Liverpudlian faced off with Topuria in the Octagon after the champion knocked out Oliveira at UFC 317, although that was a move UFC CEO Dana White said should never have happened.

A fight between Topuria and Pimblett would be one of the biggest in the promotion’s history, but there are nine names above Pimblett in the lightweight rankings currently.

However, White could be swayed to push ‘The Baddy’ into title contention sooner rather than later, as it would no doubt be the most profitable fight, given Pimblett’s star power and bitter rivalry with Topuria.

Finally, Arman Tsarukyan is technically next in line to fight Topuria for the lightweight belt.

Tsarukyan is the highest-ranked 155 lb fighter and was the official backup fighter for Topuria’s clash with Oliveira.

He was meant to fight for the belt in January against Islam Makhachev, who has since vacated the belt and moved up to welterweight, but pulled out on short notice with an injury.

This placed the Armenian fighter in his boss’s bad books, meaning he will likely have to contest one more fight before challenging for the belt once again.

UFC Lightweight Rankings

Champion: Ilia Topuria

Nonetheless, Holloway’s fight with Poirier will have ramifications on the future of the lightweight division.

Poirier’s departure will open a door for the younger fighters in the division to progress up the rankings, while a win for Holloway could thrust him straight back into title contention.

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