Max Holloway backed to ‘clean up’ welterweight division by ex-champion he trained with for UFC 329 (2026)

In the world of UFC, a recent development has sparked intriguing conversations. Max Holloway, a Hawaiian fighter, made his debut at 170 pounds, but the outcome was unexpected. While he emerged victorious against Conor McGregor, it was due to an unfortunate knee injury suffered by his opponent. This raises questions about Holloway's future in the welterweight division, and here's where it gets interesting.

The Expert's Perspective

Jack Della Maddalena, a former welterweight champion and training partner of Holloway, believes that 'Blessed' has the potential to dominate the welterweight division. Della Maddalena's insight provides a unique angle to this story. He highlights the incredible training experience with Holloway, suggesting that the Hawaiian's skills could easily translate to success at 170 pounds. This is a bold statement, especially considering the competitive nature of the welterweight class.

Dominance at 170?

Della Maddalena's confidence in Holloway's abilities is notable. He believes that Holloway could 'clean up' the welterweight division if he chooses to stay. This prediction adds a layer of anticipation to Holloway's potential future fights. With the right strategy and continued development, Holloway might just become a force to be reckoned with in this weight class.

A New Challenge

The talk of McGregor potentially challenging the current champion, Islam Makhachev, opens up an exciting narrative. If Holloway were to follow a similar path, it could lead to some highly anticipated matchups. The idea of Holloway facing Makhachev in the future adds a layer of intrigue, especially considering the current champion's successful defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.

The Broader Impact

What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential shift in the welterweight landscape. If Holloway were to dominate, it could inspire a new wave of fighters to challenge the established order. This could lead to a period of exciting and unpredictable fights, keeping the division vibrant and engaging for fans.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, the UFC's welterweight division is on the brink of an exciting era. With fighters like Holloway and the potential for fresh matchups, the future looks bright. It will be interesting to see how Holloway's career unfolds and whether he chooses to stay and make his mark at 170 pounds. This story is a reminder that sometimes, unexpected outcomes can lead to fascinating new possibilities in the world of combat sports.

Max Holloway backed to ‘clean up’ welterweight division by ex-champion he trained with for UFC 329 (2026)
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