UFC’s BMF champion Max Holloway recently addressed influencer Nurideen Shabazz, known as Deen The Great, who has been provocatively calling out several top UFC fighters for boxing matches. With UFC 326 approaching, where Holloway is set to defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira, Holloway dismissed Shabazz’s challenge as unrealistic. The champ highlighted misunderstandings regarding weight classes and questioned the logic behind the callout.
Upcoming UFC 326 fight and Holloway’s title defense
Max Holloway is preparing to defend his BMF title for the second time at UFC 326, scheduled in the coming weeks. His upcoming opponent, Charles Oliveira, is a former UFC lightweight champion, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch. Holloway earned the BMF belt after defeating Dustin Poirier in a memorable bout at UFC 318 last year, securing his place as a top contender in the sport.
Background on Deen The Great’s viral involvement and boxing pursuits
Deen The Great gained viral attention recently after a physical altercation with ex-UFC fighter Tiki Ghosn at a house party. Besides his online challenges, Shabazz has built a record in Misfits Boxing, scoring victories over fighters like Walid Muhsein, David Fogarty, and Shazan Idrees. Despite his success in boxing, his calls for UFC stars like Sean O’Malley, Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway to face him in boxing bouts have generated mixed responses.
Holloway’s reflections on weight divisions and callout confusion
In a live stream on Kick, Holloway expressed confusion over Shabazz’s challenge, noting a clear mismatch in weight classifications between boxing and UFC divisions. He said,
“I didn’t see him call me out but I did see him talking to Sean O’Malley and calling out Ilia Topuria, I didn’t see him call me out but I think he has his weight classes confused,”
Holloway stated.
He added,
“I don’t think he knows that lightweight in boxing is different than lightweight in the UFC… I don’t think he knows that.”
Holloway further questioned the reason behind the callout if it indeed was directed at him:
“I don’t know why if he did call me out, that’s kind of crazy, why the hell would he want to fight me for? Did he say why he called me out?”
Implications for Holloway and the UFC boxing crossover discourse
Max Holloway’s dismissive response reflects the tensions that can arise when athletes from different combat sports are challenged by outsiders, particularly those whose weight class and skill levels may not align. Holloway, often regarded as one of the UFC’s most skilled strikers, could consider boxing once his MMA career concludes, but for now, he remains focused on his title defense at UFC 326. The interaction highlights the complex relationship between MMA fighters and influencers seeking cross-sport competition, often stirring debate among fans and professionals alike.
Deen the great just can’t win 🤦🏽 pic.twitter.com/tI9ZgQZD7e
— Kellum (@kellumdemslots) February 18, 2026
