Max Holloway: Why Is Makhachev Walking Around With Two Belts?

Max Holloway has voiced his bewilderment regarding Islam Makhachev's style, specifically his decision to carry not one, but two championship belts.

Last Saturday, Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight title for the first time, securing a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330. Prior to this, he defended his lightweight belt four times, placing him alongside elite fighters like Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes – the only fighters in UFC history to successfully defend titles in two different weight divisions.

However, Makhachev vacated his 155-pound title to move up to the 170-pound division. Since then, the lightweight belt has changed hands twice – first, Ilia Topuria claimed the vacant title after defeating Charles Oliveira, and currently, Justin Gaethje holds the championship after dethroning Topuria at UFC White House. All of this leaves Holloway questioning why Makhachev continues to appear with two gold belts.

It's worth noting that the UFC crafts a new belt each time a fighter wins or defends a title. This means Makhachev possesses an entire display case of trophies he can showcase whenever he wishes. He's also not the first fighter to walk around with two belts, although, as Holloway points out, it appears Makhachev has no plans to return to the lightweight division.

"That was temporary, but now you're only defending one belt, brother," Holloway stated. "Why do you keep... I don't know. I don't know, guys."

Championship glory is no stranger to Holloway, who reigned as the featherweight king between 2017 and 2019. In 2024, he also earned the symbolic "The Baddest Motherfucker" (BMF) title with one of the greatest knockouts in history against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.