UFC 143 Results: Max Holloway Will Use Loss as Springboard to Greatness

Max Holloway may have lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 143, but he proved that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. 

The 20-year-old featherweight, who only turned pro 17 months ago, began this fight at an already severe disadvantage. This was his first fight in the UFC, and he was an injury replacement for an injury replacement. 

This wasn't as much about seeing if he could win, but seeing if he could hang with an elite fighter. And that is exactly what he was facing. Poirier registered his fifth straight victory, and very well could be staring at a title shot with this win.

The Fight

Holloway was the stronger fighter as the match opened up as the two were standing and that falls in his striking wheelhouse. 

Poirier realized that he needed to get the match on the mat, and did. Once on the mat, he took over and forced a tapout 3:23 in the opening round after getting Holloway in a triangle choke and added an armbar. 

Holloway's Future

While Holloway was clearly overmatched on the mat in this one, he showed he had the athleticism and strength to succeed.

Poirier wanted no part of his striking, and for good reason. Holloway is explosive.

He needs to work on his wrestling and mat skills if he ever wants to be champion, but at a raw 20 years old, he has time to build these skills.

It will be interesting to see how he handles his first professional loss. He is now 4-1 in MMA, and he should be encouraged from these results. 

With some hard work, he can end up on top of the featherweight world.