Max Holloway has set up a logical next opponent before he even enters the cage on UFC 318.
Saturday marks the first fight back for 'Blessed' since his very first knockout loss last October. After Holloway was eliminated by Ilia Topuria as he compete for the featherweight title of the Spaniard, the Hawaiian of the challenger went to defender.
In the main event of UFC 318, Holloway marks the pension fight of Dustin Poirier. For his last farewell, 'The Diamond' will try to add a final award to his MMA -CV by tearing the symbolic BMF title from Holloway's grasp.
Some say that there is heavy pressure on 'blessed', since he is still planning to be charged in the direction of a division title while Poirier is on his way to retirement. However, a prominent UFC figure thinks that a huge fight is guaranteed for Holloway, regardless of how he performs in New Orleans.
There is nobody like him! 🌺 @blessedmma has landed more than 75 important strikes in 16 straight fights, the longest line in the history of UFC! Will the streak continue on #UFC318?
[ B2YB the UFC Insights Engine built by IBM watsonx ] pic.twitter.com/y7adqdqg8y
– UFC (@UFC) July 18, 2025
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Jon Anik throws Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira Next after UFC 318
Jon Anik recently demolished the main event on Saturday in Smoothie King Center and assessed what could be in the beginning for Poirier and Holloway.
After he suggests that Poirier's pension plan seems final, the UFC main commentator focused on Holloway, who insists that his career in the Octagon is far from his conclusion.
Anik pushed back on talk about further BMF defenses, instead a rematch with a former UFC champion that would give both men the opportunity to put their name under the contenders that compete for topurias gold.
“I don't really have a huge appetite to see him defending the BMF title again, if he successfully defending it here against Dustin Poirier,” Anik told Shark's chances.
“I think he should chase the undisputed lightweight title. Of course we will see what happens to Ilia Topuria. But if you would match Max Holloway again with Ilia in '55, or match him together with someone like Arman Tsarukyan, or to do a rematch with Charles Oliveira …
“There are many major fights for Holloway on 155 pounds, win or loss this fight,” Anik continued. “I don't know, man. Holloway vs. Oliveira 2? I mean, God, I think that's the fight.”
Holloway fought Oliveira against featherweight in 2015, with the couple with a headliner from a UFC fighting evening in Saskatoon. 'Blessed' had lifted his hand after a rare esophagus injury was unable to continue in the fight for less than two minutes.
Charles Oliveira has already given its green light for Max Holloway Rematch
If the UFC shares Anik's sentiment, half of the potential matchup has already done part of the work for them.
The promotion does not have to inquire about the interest of the former lightweight champion, because Oliveira called on the Holloway Rematch itself during a recent interview with AG. Fight.
“(Max Holloway) will fight in July, I fought in June. I think November would be time … It would be a great fight. He said he would fight too, so why not?” Said Oliveira.
For now, all eyes will be aimed at the BMF title defense of Holloway in New Orleans. What the future entails for both 'blessed' and its symbolic belt can still be seen.