Max Holloway addresses Justin Gaethje's claim that he avenged UFC 300 loss by beating Ilia Topuria

Max Holloway and Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje participated in what many have hailed as one of the most iconic finishes to an MMA fight ever. 

They clashed in a lightweight matchup for the BMF championship at the landmark UFC 300 event in April 2024. Holloway put on a striking clinic and beat Gaethje with a last-second knockout to take the BMF title away from "The Highlight." 

Here in 2026, the equation appears to have changed, as Holloway is a former UFC featherweight and BMF champion, while Gaethje is an ex-BMF titlist and the reigning UFC lightweight champion. 

Gaethje recently suggested that his lightweight title-winning fourth-round TKO win over Ilia Topuria -- at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 -- was vindicating in more than one way.

The Safford-born fighter went as far as asserting that he feels he's avenged his UFC 300 loss against Max Holloway by beating Topuria, a fighter who notably knocked Holloway out in their UFC featherweight title clash back in October of 2024. Well, "Blessed" has now fired back at Gaethje's aforementioned assertion. 

Max Holloway seemed surprised by Justin Gaethje's claim that he avenged his UFC 300 defeat by beating Ilia Topuria

During a recent conversation with MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn, Max Holloway addressed his upcoming rematch against Conor McGregor and more. Presently, Holloway is scheduled to fight McGregor, a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, in a welterweight match that'll headline UFC 329 on July 11. 

Holloway suffered a unanimous decision defeat against McGregor in a featherweight matchup way back in August of 2013. 

Upon being questioned about Justin Gaethje's remarks about how he supposedly avenged his UFC 300 loss to Holloway, the latter affirmed that he was surprised by the remarks.

Holloway explained that, by Gaethje's logic, he too has avenged his 2013 loss against Conor McGregor by beating Dustin Poirier via unanimous decision in their BMF title fight last year. For context, Poirier holds a 2-1 lead in his trio of MMA bouts against McGregor. 

Holloway stated, "I don't know. I saw that. You know how AI's like, or people just putting up fake-a*s posts. Right? I just thought that was fake, and then I saw the video. I was like, 'Holy sh**!' I mean, I was kind of tripping out, but it is what it is."

He added, "If he feels that way, then, technically, I won. I beat Conor McGregor, so I'm in a great (position), you know, 'cause I beat Dustin (Poirier)." 

Max Holloway clarifies that he doesn't begrudge Justin Gaethje for his comments, eyes UFC lightweight and welterweight gold

Max Holloway explained that, jokes aside, he doesn't know why Justin Gaethje made those remarks. The Hawaiian combatant opined that it could be because Gaethje's attempting to ruffle some feathers.

Holloway seemed to speculate that it's probably even to elicit some trash talk from him, which could give "The Highlight" an opportunity to respond with additional verbal jibes and promote their potential rematch. 

Furthermore, Holloway clarified that he holds no ill will against Gaethje. He added that an exciting win over Conor McGregor in their imminent rematch at UFC 329 could propel him into a lightweight title fight against Gaethje or a UFC welterweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, who's set to fight Ian Machado Garry next. 

 

Watch Max Holloway's response to Justin Gaethje's polarizing remarks below (*comments at the 10:10-minute mark of the video):