Arman Tsarukyan, a Lightweight contender, has publicly shared his assessment of Max Holloway following Holloway's recent bout at UFC 326. Holloway, who holds a professional record of 27-9, lost a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira at the event. Tsarukyan's comments focused on Holloway's performance and speculated on his career trajectory, particularly concerning his wrestling defense.
UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira
At UFC 326, Max Holloway competed against Charles Oliveira in a highly anticipated bout. Oliveira secured a unanimous decision victory over Holloway after five rounds. Reports indicate that Oliveira utilized takedowns multiple times and maintained control during the ground exchanges throughout the contest, proving effective in his strategy. Prior to this bout, Holloway had been discussing a potential fight for the BMF title against Ilia Topuria.
Tsarukyan's Critical Assessment
Arman Tsarukyan expressed a critical view of Holloway's performance against Oliveira, suggesting it signals a turning point in his career. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan stated his belief that Holloway's career is nearing its conclusion.
"Max is done already. He's just going to make money and then retire. He's not that Max anymore."
Tsarukyan specifically questioned Holloway's wrestling defense during the fight, noting his inability to defend takedowns despite an extensive career in mixed martial arts. He also offered a surprising take on Charles Oliveira's grappling abilities, stating:
"Charles Oliveira has no takedowns. Good jiu-jitsu, but I've never seen him wrestle very well."
This perspective from Tsarukyan contrasts sharply with the reported outcome of the fight, where Oliveira successfully took Holloway down multiple times. It also stands against the experience of fighters like Mateusz Gamrot, who defeated Tsarukyan in the past and was subsequently taken down by Oliveira in his own fight, suggesting a different view on Oliveira's takedown capabilities.
Future Trajectory & Potential Bouts
Tsarukyan suggested that Holloway's career path in the 155-pound Lightweight division could prove challenging if his wrestling defense does not improve. This vulnerability would be particularly pronounced when facing division grapplers such as Tsarukyan himself, Benoit Saint Denis, and Mateusz Gamrot.
Despite these critical assessments, Max Holloway remains a prominent figure in the sport. He is reportedly a leading candidate for a potential return fight against Conor McGregor, indicating his star power continues to draw significant interest.