Max Holloway: 'BMF' Title Fight at UFC 300 Creates a 'Lot of Options'

While Max Holloway was eyeing a title shot, he also wanted to be on the UFC 300 card.

A “BMF” title fight against Justin Gaethje was good enough to make the latter a reality.

Holloway has bested the majority of the UFC’s featherweight division with the exception of reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski, who owns three victories over the Hawaiian. After earning consecutive victories over Arnold Allen and Chan Sung Jung, Holloway had been rallying for yet another shot against Volkanovski. However, the promotion decided to book “The Great” against undefeated Spanish contender Ilia Topuria for UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California.

Things eventually worked out well for Holloway with a booking against Gaethje on the marquee UFC 300 card.

“Oliveira and Islam was booked, I just came off a big win with ‘Korean Zombie,’ and then the 45 title was booked too at the same time,” Holloway told Kevin Iole. “So, he had the ‘BMF’ belt and I like options. At 45, I think the next step for me is back for the title. We was being undeniable. We had that third fight with Volk. I had to go fight Arnold. We did that. They gave me the fight against ‘Korean Zombie’ over out in Asia, and that was a fun one. We did that, and what’s next is a title shot, we was thinking. They went a different way, and in this sport, having options is great.”

Holloway also likes the options that may open up with a potential win over Gaethje, as he could defend the ‘BMF’ strap in both divisions.

“It’s options,” he said. “I think a lot of doors are going to get opened, a lot of options are going to be open. We’ll see what happens. … First things first is the man in front of me. I got a dangerous guy in Justin Gaethje, but we’re going to handle him first, and then after that, like I said: It’s just a game of options. A lot of things can open up after this fight. That’s what I’m focused on. Focused on getting my hand raised, and shock the world, I guess... This is a card I really wanted to be a part of because I know I’m not going to be around for 400. And if I am, please tell me to retire."

Many believe Holloway will have a significant power disadvantage against Gaethje, who is currently a -225 favorite and coming off a head-kick knockout win over Dustin Poirier.

“We almost fight pretty similar, but the only difference I guess from what people are saying is the power,” Holloway said. “The power at [155 pounds], how hard he hits, how hard he kicks. There are a few different things I have to figure out. I get to see how hard this guy really punches and how hard he hits come April 13 when we get in there. If we have to make adjustments, I'll make adjustments.”