“A d*mn f*cking belt” Holloway Shoots Straight at Topuria for Carrying the BMF Belt Around in Circles!

Max Holloway was all smiles at UFC 318, raising his fist high after an impressive unanimous decision victory over Dustin Poirier, a revenge win years in the making. The performance solidified Holloway’s standing not just as a fan favorite, but as one of the elite fighters in the sport today—a reigning BMF champion and a perennial threat in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.

But before “Blessed” could fully enjoy the moment, Ilia Topuria stepped in with a calculated social media strike. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the current 145-pound world champion shared a photo of the BMF belt with just three piercing words:

“It’s still mine.”

A subtle message, but a devastating killjoy nonetheless—deliberately designed to overshadow Holloway’s triumph.

Topuria’s Provocation: A Direct Challenge to Max Holloway

The Spanish-Georgian superstar Ilia Topuria, who recently became the new 155-pound UFC champion after a sensational first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, isn’t content to rule from the sidelines. His message wasn’t random—it was calculated, personal, and strategic.

By posting the BMF belt, Topuria reminded fans—and Holloway—that the last time these two shared the Octagon, it was Topuria who had his hand raised, not Max.

Their last meeting, in Topuria’s only featherweight title defense, ended in a brutal third-round KO victory for “El Matador.” Holloway came into that bout holding the newly earned BMF title, but the belt wasn’t on the line. Still, Topuria believes he took it in spirit—and he hasn’t stopped reminding people since.

Max Holloway’s Redemption Arc at Lightweight

Holloway’s victory over Poirier at UFC 318 wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

Poirier had beaten Holloway back in 2019, and many believed “The Diamond” had the Hawaiian’s number. But Max came back sharper, tougher, and more focused than ever, using elite boxing and tireless cardio to outpoint one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.

This win marked Holloway’s first official defense of the BMF title, which he won by knocking out Justin Gaethje in April 2024. His record since becoming the BMF champ is spotless, and he has done it while continuing to build a case as one of the most durable and entertaining fighters in UFC history.

But Topuria’s interruption makes it clear: there’s unfinished business.

A Rematch Brewing? Topuria vs Holloway II at 155?

Fans and analysts alike are beginning to ask the obvious question:
Is a rematch between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway inevitable?

With Topuria now holding the official lightweight championship belt, and Holloway standing tall as the defending BMF champ, the stakes for a potential rematch have never been higher.

Here’s why it makes sense:

• Topuria has already defeated Holloway once, convincingly.

• Max has improved dramatically since, and his recent wins prove he can hang with the division’s best.

• The BMF vs World Champion narrative is a promoter’s dream.

• Their styles—Topuria’s explosive precision vs. Holloway’s relentless volume—guarantee fireworks.

Even if Holloway hasn’t publicly responded to Topuria’s taunt yet, the silence is loud. It’s likely a matter of time before the Hawaiian issues a challenge of his own—or gets one from UFC brass.

UFC’s Next Power Move?

The UFC now has the chance to book one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory. Imagine it:

• Ilia Topuria, the undefeated, fast-rising lightweight champ who shocked the world by dethroning both Volkanovski and Oliveira.

• Max Holloway, the battle-hardened veteran and BMF champ on a revenge tour, out to reclaim his dignity and silence his biggest rival.

Dana White has already expressed interest in making “big fights” with real heat and legacy implications. Topuria vs. Holloway II checks every box.

The trash talk writes itself. The highlights are already in the archives. The fans? They’re waiting.

A Belt. A Score. A War.

Ilia Topuria’s “It’s still mine” post isn’t just a flex—it’s a warning.

He’s not done with Holloway. He doesn’t respect the BMF crown. He wants to bury the idea that Max Holloway is still in his league.

And Holloway? He may have been quiet, but don’t mistake silence for surrender. If history has taught us anything, it’s that Max doesn’t back down. He endures, adapts, and returns.

If this fight happens again—this time at 155 with both belts in play—it could be one of the defining battles of this era in the UFC.

Final Thoughts: Topuria’s Mind Games Are Just Beginning

In the game of MMA, physical dominance is only half the battle. Psychological warfare is just as crucial, and Ilia Topuria is proving to be a master of both.

By crashing Max Holloway’s celebration, Topuria isn’t just trying to hurt his rival—he’s trying to pull the UFC into making a fight the world wants to see.

If he succeeds, we may witness a lightweight superfight with legacy-altering consequences.

Max Holloway’s hand may be raised today—but in Topuria’s mind, the real fight hasn’t even begun.