Reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev defeated top contender Ian Machado Garry atop the UFC 330 fight card last weekend in Philadelphia to retain his 170-pound title. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, Makhachev was seen parading around the Octagon with two championship belts.
His current welterweight strap along with his old 155-pound title.
Makhachev was forced to relinquish his lightweight crown after moving up in weight but did not lose the title in a championship showdown. Still, the sight of two titles did not sit well with former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway, who also wore the “BMF” belt before losing it to Charles Oliveira.
“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. That was temporary but now you’re just defending one belt, bro. Why you keep … I don’t know. I don’t know, guys.”
From X:
‼️🎙️Max Holloway on Islam having 2 belts after UFC 330 win:
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) August 17, 2026
“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
Sour grapes?
Makhachev is not the only fighter to sport two belts despite competing in one weight class. Ilia Topuria, who vacated the featherweight crown to chase lightweight gold, had no qualms about showing off a pair of titles after crushing Charles Oliveira in a lightweight contest at UFC 317 back in June 2025.
Have a look:
Holloway was knocked out by Topuria at UFC 308 back in late 2024.