Best fighter of the year? For Max Holloway, the 2024 title already has an owner

Max Holloway weighing in at the UFC (Photo: Instagram)

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Max Holloway has a golden opportunity to become UFC featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg) again. He faces Ilia Topuria, current belt holder, next Saturday (26) in the main fight of the UFC 308, in Abu Dhabi. In addition to the title, the victory could give the Hawaiian fighter strength in the dispute to be the 'Best Fighter of 2024'.

However, Holloway knows that other names are still on the UFC award radar, including Alex Poatán. In an interview with journalist 'Kevin Iole' on YouTube, even with the possibility of having two important victories in the season and having won the 'BMF' belt (toughest fighter), the Hawaiian doubts that he has a chance of beating the Brazilian.

“I don’t know if they would give me (the Fighter of the Year award). The way Alex has taken fights. He’s the fastest guy to defend the belt, right, with three title defenses? He’s a tough guy to beat. Every time I’m in the conversation about it, someone is having an insane year. I think Alex is already in the running for the win. We’ll see what happens,” said the veteran.

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Current light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg), Poatan made three belt defenses in 2024 and knocked out all of his opponents: Jamahal hill, Jiri Prochazka e Khalil rountree. The Brazilian also broke the record that belonged to Ronda Rousey, becoming the champion to make three title defenses in the shortest amount of time in UFC history (175 days against Rousey's 189).

With this, the athlete recognizes that, even if he wins Ilia Topuria, the prize probably already belongs to the Brazilian. Even so, Holloway preached a lot of respect to El Matador, Saturday's opponent.

“The first thing is Topuria. I’m not going to ignore him. He’s dangerous and he deserves all the respect in the world from me, all my focus. If everything goes well and I get my hand raised, you can ask me that question later,” Holloway said.

For Holloway, Alex Poatán is the UFC's best fighter of the year Photo: Twitter/UFC