Max Holloway Willing to Consider Possibility of Defending Two Belts Only After UFC 223

Max Holloway has the chance to join some select company if he defeats Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 on Saturday.

With a win, the 26-year-old Hawaiian will join Conor McGregor as the only fighters to hold UFC belts simultaneously. Getting to that point will be a tall task, as Holloway must first get past an undefeated Dagestani who has made a habit of making opponents look less than ordinary.

Still, Holloway recognizes that he has a duty as reigning featherweight champion. In fact, it has been all but confirmed that “Blessed” will make his next 145-pound title defense against Brian Ortega. Holloway will address the difficulties of being a two-division champion if and when the situation arrives.

“Everything is going at 200 miles per hour,” said Holloway, who accepted the fight with Nurmagomedov on six days’ notice. “After the fight, I’ll sit down with the UFC and we’ll figure it out. There’s a lot of contenders at 145 now. There’s Ortega. I respect the fighters. I’ve got business. First things first, there’s Khabib Saturday.”

When McGregor captured lightweight gold at UFC 205, he was already the 145-pound champion. However, the Irishman was forced to relinquish the featherweight strap shortly thereafter. UFC President Dana White sounds as though he’s willing to work with Holloway if the Hawaiian fighter wants to take on the ambitious schedule of a two-division champion.

“It’s gonna be decided on whether or not he can defend both belts,” White said. “If he can defend both belts and he’s willing to fight that much, anything is possible.”

For now, Holloway is saying all the right things. To add another piece of hardware to the collection before stepping into the Octagon against one of the sport’s most dominant fighters would be foolish. That’s why Holloway won’t allow his mind to stray to far head into the future.

“I’m not too focused on it. Two belts is cool,” he said. “Right now I’m going for the 155-pound belt. I’ve got a big task in front of me with Khabib. This is how you become a legend. I keep cementing my legacy and this is a step in the right direction.”