Max Holloway seems especially salty about Ilia Topuria who has claimed on multiple occasions that the UFC had to force ‘Blessed’ into fighting the featherweight champ. Avoiding a fight, of course, is one of the worst things a fighters could be accused of. Especially for a combatant like Holloway, who has proven throughout his career that he is game to fight anyone, even Khabib Nurmagomedov on barely a week’s notice.

And that is why he has clapped back on these declarations from ‘El Matador’ in a recent interview with ‘TMZ Sports’. ‘Blessed’ pointed out that it was Topuria who had demanded they fight not only for the featherweight title but also Holloway’s BMF title, which the former champion pointed out meant that if anyone was forced into the fight, it was Topuria.

“I mean not that I know of [that the BMF title is on the line], you know. At the end of the day a lot of people, him, he was talking about uh me being forced to fight him, you know. So there is actual evidence of him talking about how if the BMF title wasn’t on the line he wouldn’t fight me. So last time I checked, the BMF title was not on the line. And who got forced to fight who, you know, that’s the question,” Holloway asked rhetorically.

He also questioned why Topuria wanted the BMF title on the line when he had been trashing it so much previously. “So at the end of the day, I have no say about it, you know. It’s a UFC event, UFC holds the title, and the last time I checked, he and his fans and the world before I fought for the BMF title thought it was a fake title. But now it’s here. What the hell do you want a fake title for?” Holloway said in the interview.

Holloway, of course, correctly pointed out that it was up to the UFC to decide which title would be on the line in their upcoming UFC 308 clash tonight. Which, of course, may raise an obvious question in some people’s minds.

Why the BMF title is not on the line in Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway’s UFC 308 clash?

The reason many feel the BMF title isn’t on the line is that the UFC doesn’t want to put all of its eggs in the same basket. After all, if Topuria defeats Holloway and his silver title is on the line, it would lead to Topuria holding both titles. And that wouldn’t be good for business.

After all, the UFC has expertly monetized the largely ceremonial title and can put on an entire pay-per-view card centered around it. But if it is held by a fighter who also holds a divisional title, it would take that possibility out of the question. But then, there is an immediate issue yet again. Wouldn’t the UFC be in the same position if Holloway wins the featherweight title?

It would, but stripping Holloway of the BMF title over the mere risk of it being held by the same person would not go down well with the UFC world. It is safe to say that fight fans would hate it! Not to mention it would affect the lineage of the title if it was just taken from Holloway willy-nilly and put up in another clash. So with that out of the question, the UFC did the next best thing and made sure it isn’t up for grabs at UFC 308.

But the fact that Holloway could be both the BMF and 145lbs champ, but Topura couldn’t even if he defeats Holloway does seem a tad unfair to ‘El Matador’ though. What are your views on it? Drop your opinion in the comment box below!