Islam Makhachev Responds to Max Holloway's Criticism About Holding Two UFC Belts

Islam Makhachev has responded to Max Holloway’s recent comments questioning why the double champion held two belts after his record-breaking performance at UFC 330, and bragged that his career holds accomplishments that Holloway has never and will never reach.

Makhachev’s main event victory over Ian Machado Garry was his first title defense at welterweight, and the champion chose to hold both his welterweight and lightweight UFC championship belts as a symbol of his winning legacy. For Holloway, however, the gesture was confusing and arrogant.

Holloway’s Initial Comments

Live-streaming on his Kick account, Holloway levied his criticism towards Makhachev (h/t Red Corner MMA):

“Why the f— do you have two belts? For aura? I mean, you are a double champ but now you just defended one belt, bro,” he quipped.

Holloway’s comments were puzzling given the fact that many double champions, whether or not they vacated their previous belt, have held two belts after winning. One such fighter would be the former double champion and Holloway’s most recent opponent, Conor McGregor, who never went so far as to defend either belt like Makhachev.

In addition, McGregor actually held two belts during the buildup to his fight against Holloway, despite not holding either belt for years.

Holloway was not vocal then, nor was he calling McGregor out for what is an even more egregious form of bragging.

Makhachev Responds

Holloway’s response was shared on social media and made headlines, prompting Islam Makhachev to comment on MMA Fighting’s Instagram post sharing Holloway’s comments:

The double champion responded in the comment section with a simple yet devastating response.

“I don’t know, bro. It’s even too heavy to hold. But you don’t understand, sorry,” he wrote.

Back in June 2025, Makhachev vacated his UFC lightweight title after successfully defending his belt four times. His four defenses during his lightweight championship reign stand as the record for most title defenses in the weight class.

Holloway has an impressive championship career of his own, defending his undisputed featherweight title three times while holding the UFC record for most significant strikes. In addition, Holloway has won the symbolic “BMF” Belt and was the first fighter to ever defend it.

Despite Holloway’s impressive career, Makhachev’s jab toward the Hawaiian is correct, as Holloway has never won a legitimate UFC title outside of the featherweight division.

Makhachev’s and Holloway’s comments could be the seed of an eventual showdown between the two, as Holloway had his first welterweight fight just one month before Islam’s title defense. While he did win his divisional debut against Conor McGregor after McGregor injured his leg, the fight did not give a clear sense of Holloway’s true capabilities in the weight class.

Additionally, it is unclear whether or not Holloway will choose to remain in the weight class or go back down to lightweight and chase his second title there.