Max Holloway just got the BMF title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 and etched his name in the UFC world. He was scoring round after round and gave dangerous strikes to the former champion and ended the fight massively. The audience was thrilled and excited for his win and the ‘Blessed’ is all over the news for his achievements. However, there was a slight disappointment from Islam Makhachev as he declared that he would not fight Holloway after UFC 302.

Interestingly, Islam Makhachev’s coach has something else to say about this which might surprise the fighter. Let’s see what he said about Holloway being the next opponent.

Islam Makhachev’s coach gives green signal to Max Holloway

During a conversation with Submission Radio, coach Javier Mendez spoke about the upcoming bout between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier for UFC 302 lightweight. He was asked whether Max Holloway was a prospective contender after the UFC 302 and he had an answer different from Makhachev. 

Mendez said, “Should we be victorious, which I am expecting? To be victorious on June 1 you know and if Max is on the agenda for the UFC, then that’s who we fight next.” He also mentioned, “If he’s going to fight the featherweight champion then that’s who Max gets. Max in my opinion and I think everybody else’s opinion is earned the right to fight for the title whether it be 155 or 145.”

Mendez also complimented the BMF champion for having a great attitude and performance and the coach thinks he should be the one for the title fight. However, Makhachev clearly stated that if Holloway was capable of beating more guys in his division then the lightweight champ could think about a fight.

He also mentioned to the New York Post, “I don’t want to give him a chance now because I have some contenders who I have to beat. Now I have Dustin, after we’ll have Arman [Tsarukyan]. I think I’ll have some guys in my division, he has guys in his division…” Meanwhile, different strategies are being planned by Poirier and Makhachev to win the fight.

Justin Gaethje’s advice for Dustin Poirier to win the fight

While speaking to Kaz Crossley on Title Sports Network’s YouTube channel, Gaethje said that Makhachev came from a Dagestani wrestling and sambo training just like Khabib Nurmagomedov. Gaethje and Poirier have lost to Nurmagomedov before and know his style well. So according to Gaethje, ‘The Diamond’ would have an idea of what to expect. 

Even if they both have a slightly different fighting style, they both have a grappling technique and Poirier needs to trust his ability in grappling according to Gaethje. Furthermore, the two other things Poirier needs to focus on are his stamina and being open to grapple. If ‘The Diamond’ can endure these then ‘The Highlight’ thinks he can win.

Even Makhachev shared his game plan with his opponent and cleared his plans to grapple against Poirier’s guillotine choke. Who do you think will win? Will Holloway get Islam or Poirier?