Max Holloway did not back down from his viral gladiator line when responding to critics of his move to lightweight. His mindset has driven him to achieve plenty of success in the UFC, including winning the BMF title.
Before moving up to lightweight to challenge Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Holloway was counted out by critics. They believed he was making a mistake by fighting Gaethje, who is among the promotion’s top lightweights.
Despite the doubters, Holloway made it clear that he intended to prove he was worthy of the BMF title. ‘Blessed’, a former featherweight champion, explained his mindset on what the term embodied. He said if he were born in a different period, he would have been a gladiator.
“If I was born in a different time, I would’ve been a gladiator. The last time I checked, gladiators didn’t walk around with a scale asking what weight you [are],” Holloway told UFC on TNT Sports. If you’re the BMF, you gotta step up and fight anybody.”
Holloway’s hard work and belief in himself paid off. He knocked out Gaethje in the final second of the fight, and the moment went viral on social media. As a result, he earned two post-fight bonuses totaling $600, 000.
Max Holloway Reveals Story Behind His ‘Gladiator’ Line
Max Holloway, a Stake Ambassador, recently spoke exclusively to Heavy Sports, and addressed his mindset when he delivered the gladiator line.
Holloway revealed he took inspiration from late, legendary boxer Roger Mayweather. He said he aspired to prove himself as a pound-for-pound great by competing at lightweight.
The BMF title holder said those critics were uneducated about MMA.
“[The line is] like what Roger Mayweather said, ‘Most people don’t know [expletive] about boxing.’ And you can say the same about MMA. Most people don’t know [expletive] about MMA,” Holloway said. “It is what it is. People are going to sit there. They got a camera, microphone, YouTube channel, Twitch, Kick channel, and all of a sudden they’re reporters now.”
He added:
“At the end of the day, that’s what they do. I live by the saying and the saying goes, a bee is not going to sit there and convince a fly that honey’s better than [expletive],” Holloway said. “Whatever’s your take is your take. I got no time for that, I can focus on myself and keep moving forward.”
Holloway Has Thrived at Lightweight
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 19: Max Holloway of the United States is declared the winner by unanimous decision against Dustin Poirier of the United States after their lightweight bout during UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 at the Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Holloway continues to thrive at lightweight and could be close to earning a title shot.
‘Blessed’ moved from featherweight to lightweight to face Gaethje at UFC 300. He captured the BMF title and later returned to 145 pounds to challenge Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title. After losing to Topuria, Holloway decided to make a permanent move to 155 pounds.
Holloway then faced former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. The event marked Poirier’s final bout and saw ‘Blessed’ earn a unanimous decision victory to retain his BMF title. Now, the Hawaiian will defend his BMF title against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.
With an impressive win and second BMF title defense, Holloway could realistically that momentum into a lightweight title shot.
UFC BMF Champion Max Holloway Reveals the Real Story Behind His ‘Gladiator’ Line