UFC BMF Champion Max Holloway Injured at UFC 318, Out Until 2026

Max Holloway, the reigning BMF champion, revealed that a hand injury sustained during his UFC 318 victory over Dustin Poirier will likely keep him out of action until 2026. Despite his hopes for a swift return and a title shot rematch against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, Holloway acknowledged that recovery and specialist consultations mean he probably won’t fight again this year. Holloway emphasized his belief that he deserves the next title shot, especially over contenders like Justin Gaethje, whom he previously knocked out, and expressed frustration at being overlooked in the lightweight title conversation. The injury sidelines Holloway after a significant win that prevented Poirier's retirement sweep and solidified Holloway’s position among top lightweight contenders. Meanwhile, Topuria, who knocked out Holloway at UFC 308 and recently won the lightweight title, remains the champion with his next opponent yet to be announced. Holloway’s injury has added uncertainty to the lightweight division’s evolving title scene, where contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett, and Gaethje are also vying for a shot.