Max Holloway doubts he can surpass Alex Pereira for Fighter of the Year with Ilia Topuria win

October 21, 2024 12:30 pm ET

Max Holloway was honest in response when asked about his potential running for Fighter of the Year.

Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) kicked off his 2024 with an iconic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF title at UFC 300. He challenges featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

If Holloway can pull off another upset vs. Topuria and reclaim his featherweight title, he certainly would be a candidate for Fighter of the Year. But over UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira? “Blessed” says that’s highly unlikely.

“I mean, I don’t know, man,” Holloway told Kevin Iole. “I don’t know if they would do (Fighter of the Year for me). The way Alex took fights – he’s the fastest guy to defend his title, right, with three title defenses (in 175 days)? That’s a hard man to beat. Every time I’m in the talks for it, somebody’s having a crazy year. I think Alex Pereira has got the win in the bag already.”

With Holloway currently the BMF champion and a ranked UFC lightweight after his finish of Gaethje, he’s not short of options. However, he’s not ready to map out any plans until he fights Topuria.

“We’ll see what happens,” Holloway said. “First thing’s first is Ilia Topuria. I’m not going to look past him. That guy’s a dangerous man, and he deserves all the respect in the world from me and all my focus, so that’s the first thing. Everything goes right come Oct. 26 and I get my hand raised, you can ask me that question after.”

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