Max Holloway has revealed he’ll likely be sidelined for the rest of 2025 due to a hand injury suffered during his UFC 318 win over Dustin Poirier.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, as reported by MMA Fighting, Holloway called it a “stupid injury,” explaining, “I hurt my right hand in the Dustin fight… I saw the doctor, and we’re going to a specialist soon. They think I might be out for the rest of the year.”
Despite the setback, Holloway remains optimistic: “It’s just part of the game. I’ve been through worse. I’ll come back stronger. We’re just making a little pit stop.”
The injury came during Holloway’s second major win of 2025, following a knockout victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, performances which led to speculation that he could be tapped in the near future as a potential opponent for lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
But Holloway, who was defeated by Topuria at 145-pounds last year, said that his priorities will likely lie elsewhere.
When asked about what’s next, Holloway said, “The BMF belt is still with me, and I’d love to defend it. But if the title shot comes, I’m there. Just gotta heal first.”
“It’s a dumb injury, really,” he added. “Couldn’t even tell you exactly when it happened in the fight. Adrenaline does that to you.”
But even now that he’s likely on the shelf until 2026, he had one firm message for his supporters: “Blessed is still best. Just on a short break.”
