Max Holloway moving up to UFC's lightweight division: 'This is a new chapter'

Max Holloway is looking for a fresh start as he plans to move up to the lightweight division.

Holloway made the announcement official Saturday releasing a video on his YouTube channel to announce that he's bidding farewell to the featherweight division. It was a move the UFC fighter had been considering for a little while.

“This is like my phoenix moment, from the ashes we’re reborn,” Holloway said. “We’re on to bigger, better stuff and walking through a new door and starting a new chapter. I’m a big believer in never say never, and the big question now is, ‘Was that your last fight at 145?’ You guys saw me touch upon it in the press conference, and I can honestly say I think I’m done with 145. Your boy is only getting older. I turn 33. This cut – no excuses. This cut was easy, bro. Shout out to my wife. They helped make this cut really easy, but it takes a toll cutting weight, period. No matter what weight you are."

Holloway suffered the first knockout of his career at UFC 308 against Ilia Topuria for the undisputed featherweight championship.

Holloway owns a 26-8 record with 12 knockouts. He's fought twice in 2024 after two bouts in 2023.

He explained that the push to cut weight was getting tough for him.

“I had to give up ramen for my ’45 camps. So I’m done with that. I don’t ever want to give up ramen again. 155, here we come and 155 is where I want to stay," Holloway explained.

"This is a new chapter. This is where we start. This is where we begin. I cannot wait. Like I said, never say never. But I can honestly look you guys in the eye and tell you guys I’m probably not ever going back to ’45. I love what I did. I did what I did. I did what I had to do there. I worked my way back, I clawed my back to the championship fight multiple times there. I was a champion. I defended at that weight. Now it’s time to move on to the next chapter, and 155 there’s a bunch of fun fights that I cannot wait to take.”