What’s next for Max Holloway after UFC 329? Concerning lack of options for the previous champion

Due to the best way during which his UFC 329 win got here about, Max Holloway doesn’t have many clear options going forward.

Within the UFC 329 important event on Saturday, Conor McGregor suffered a fight-ending knee injury against Max Holloway in his first fight in over five years.

Following the disappointing end to the fight, ‘Blessed’ Holloway stated that he would love to attend for McGregor to return to settle their rivalry with a trilogy.

Despite that, Michael Chandler will let you know why that could be a terrible idea and it could leave the Hawaiian on the sidelines for a substantial period of time.

Although there’s an absence of options for the previous BMF and featherweight champion going forward, let’s take a have a look at what may very well be next for him.

Should Max Holloway stay at welterweight after his divisional debut at UFC 329? 🤔

Jack Della Maddalena thinks ‘Blessed’ could dominate the burden class… 👀

Holloway should campaign for a rematch with Justin Gaethje

In some ways, Saturday night turned out to be an excellent night for Holloway as he didn’t even must break a sweat to earn the most important payday of his profession.

Unfortunately, though, he didn’t get to right the wrongs of his last fight against Charles Oliveira this past March.

It’s fair to say that although his fight against McGregor was at 170lbs, that ought to be a one and done situation for Holloway.

Although he would love a fight against Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title, that division is already backed up with contenders who’ve more of a claim to a title fight.

Fortunately for the 34-year-old, though, he has a storied history with current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, and campaigning for a rematch with ‘The Highlight’ ought to be his primary priority.

Despite the incontrovertible fact that it might likely cause controversy and anger, especially with Arman Tsarukyan who many consider to be the primary contender, storylines sell fights.

Earlier this yr, we saw Sean Strickland given a surprising title shot off the back of only one win, all since the storyline was more compelling than a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov.

A possible primary contender fight with Paddy Pimblett

If the promotion deems that Holloway needs one other win before he may be considered for a title fight at 155lbs, then there isn’t really anyone else for him to face aside from Paddy Pimblett.

Pimblett scored an emphatic bounce back win within the UFC 329 co-main event when he choked out Benoit Saint-Denis in lower than a minute.

That win, though, isn’t enough to earn him a rematch with Gaethje and Holloway would likely still be above him within the pecking order due to his previous win over the champion.

‘The Baddy’ stands as a fresh matchup for ‘Blessed’ and it might give him the prospect to point out improvements made since his loss to Oliveira.

Despite that, if the fight played out on the feet, it might likely be one other Fight of the 12 months contender and it might show who the subsequent contender is after the aforementioned Tsarukyan.

Just one thing is needless to say in the intervening time, and that’s that Holloway’s last alternative ought to be waiting for an additional return of Conor McGregor.