Max Holloway rumbled last week when he realized that he was still ranked in the top 15 of the rankings of featherweight.
The coming Saturday, Max Holloway returns to the Octagon for the first time since his devastating Ko loss for Ilia Topuria on UFC 308 when he takes on Dustin Poirier in the UFC 318 Main Event.
A little over a week in their fight, Holloway warned his fans that he had landed in Louisiana after a few 'small fears', including flight delays and thunderstorms.
With a victory over Poirier, 'blessed' hopes that he can protect himself a rematch against Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title, which 'recent legendary run of El Matador has discredited.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Holloway Granted Pre-fighting request prior to UFC 318 Title Defense
This will mark the first outing of Holloway since he announced his permanent switch to the lightweight division, and his BMF title will be on the line.
Despite that, prior to his fight, the 33-year-old had a complaint with the UFC, because he was still ranked in the Vederweight division, although he announced that he would never again fight in the weight class.
And for his fight, Holloway asked that he was removed from the 145 pound rankings and claimed “it's ridiculous.”
Now that only a few days from his deficiency defense in Louisiana, Holloway's request has been granted because he was officially removed on Tuesday from the featherweight top 15 in the ranking update.
Taking his place at number one is unbeaten the Russian competition Movsar Evloev, who was planned to accept Aaron Pico in a number one competition fight at UFC Abu Dhabi, but it was revealed yesterday that he was outside that collision.
Although Holloway has been removed from the ranking, it still shows different errors such as Bryce Mitchell, who has announced his switch to Bantamweight, is now in the top 15.
Not only that, but Calvin Kattar, who is currently running on a Five Fight Losing Streak, is also in the top 15 of 145 pounds.
Could Max Holloway earn a lightweight title shot with a victory over UFC 318?
After scoring an incredible Ko about Justin Gaethje on UFC 300, a victory over 'The Diamond' would bring UFC 318 Holloway in a great position in the lightweight title photo.
At this point it is unclear against whom 'El Matador' will make his first title defense against, which means that 'blessed' could put itself on the list with an impressive victory.