Max Holloway was knocked out for the first time in his MMA career against lia Topuria and the UFC star has hinted at his next career move.
Holloway faced Topuria at UFC 308, which took place on the main card at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
And the bout went Topuria's way after he knocked out Holloway with punches in the third round to inflict the latter's first ever knockout loss in MMA.
His record now stands at 26 wins from 34 matches, with eight losses - one each via knockout and submission, and six on judges' decision.
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Topuria meanwhile continues to boast an unbeaten record with 16 wins, six of which were by knockout, eight by submission and two by decision.
Reflecting on the loss, Holloway said in the post-fight press conference: "I felt great. I was finding my groove. Saw it on the scoreboards after, I was kind of surprised, I thought I had at least one of them.
"The first round I know he took me down and at the end he had that takedown so, it is what it is, I felt good.
"Showing off my hands, I was landing, I was being fast, I think I had him surprised in there. Like I said, I was doing good until I wasn’t.
"The first couple of rounds he landed a couple of left hooks. He took me down, he didn’t feel too strong, and you know, game of inches. Game of inches.
"He landed something that I found myself looking up from the ground."
Analysing what he will do next following the loss in the featherweight division, which takes place at a 145-pound level, Holloway hinted he may return to his previous weight category of lightweight, which has a higher weight cut-off of 155 pounds.
However, Holloway suggested any return to the Octagon is now likely to take place in the middle of 2025.
He said: "I had the best '45 cut here, but what else is there to do?
"I had a couple of times to reclaim [the featherweight title], new guys coming up, that would be fun, but I think '55 looks more fun as fighting just more the calibre, everyone there and the names there, it would look really exciting to put my name in the mix.
"We’ll sit down with the team, relax, there’s nothing needed to be rushing back right now.
"Probably try to come back summer, big July card in Vegas, do something, see what happens."
Topics: MMA, Max Holloway, UFC, Featherweight
John McDougall