Max Holloway questions Islam Makhachev for carrying two belts

"

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after a victory against Ian Machado Garry of Ireland in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 330 event at Xfinity Mobile Arena on August 15, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Max Holloway has some questions about Islam Makhachev’s style choices, namely the choice to carry not one, but two belts on his person. Makhachev recorded the first successful defense of his welterweight title this past Saturday in the main event of UFC 330 with a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry. Having previously defended the lightweight title four times, Makhachev joined Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes as the only UFC fighters to successfully defend belts in two weight classes. However, Makhachev vacated the 155-pound title to move up to 170, and the lightweight title has already been claimed by two other fighters since with Ilia Topuria winning the vacant belt by defeating Charles Oliveira, and now Justin Gaethje currently holding it after upsetting Topuria at UFC White House. All of that has Holloway confused as to why Makhachev is still sporting double gold. “Why the f*ck do you have two belts?” Holloway asked on his Kick channel. “For aura? I mean, it is what it is, like, you are, but you’re not.” ‼️🎙️Max Holloway on Islam having 2 belts after UFC 330 win: “Why the fuck do you have two belts? For aura? I mean, like, it is what it is, bro. I mean, like, you are, but you're not. That was temporary, but now you're just defending one belt, bro.” pic.twitter.com/zOo2PYztlG — Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) August 17, 2026 It should be noted that a new UFC belt is made every time a fighter wins or defends a championship, meaning Makhachev still has a trophy case full of belts to show off whenever he wants. He’s also not the first fighter to walk around with two belts, though as Holloway points out, it doesn’t appear as if Makhachev has any plans to return to the lightweight division. “That was temporary but now you’re just defending one belt, bro,” Holloway said. “Why you keep—I don’t know. I don’t know, guys.” Holloway is no stranger to championship glory, having reigned as featherweight king from 2017-2019. He also won the “BMF” title in 2024 with an all-time great knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.