UFC legend Max Holloway has spoken out strongly against bare-knuckle boxing and slap fighting.
The Hawaiian fighter, known for his relentless style and warrior mentality, made his stance clear during a recent live stream. For years, Holloway has faced the best in mixed martial arts and earned his place among the sport’s elite. But despite his fearless approach in the cage, he believes some combat trends have gone too far.
Holloway calls bare-knuckle fights “stupid”
Bare-knuckle boxing and slap fighting have gained new attention in recent years. The latter, heavily promoted by UFC president Dana White, has stirred both excitement and controversy. Holloway, however, wants no part of either.
“I ain’t ever going to bare-knuckle fighting. That’s the most stupidest thing ever in the world,” he said on his stream. “When I’m retired, I’m retired. I’ll maybe do a boxing match but not a bare-knuckle one. That’s ridiculous.”
He didn’t hold back as he mocked the idea of competing without gloves. “People that do that, it’s next level. People that do slap, bare-knuckle, bro, you guys are crazy. You guys are actually crazy.”
“Why would I let someone slap me?”
Holloway continued by questioning the logic behind slap fighting, a spectacle where two opponents strike each other without defense.
“The slap one is so nuts,” he said. “Why would I want to stay there and just be like, ‘Yeah, you can slap me, I slap you.’ That’s crazy.”
With his words, Holloway drew a clear line between professional combat sports and what he sees as dangerous entertainment. To him, both bare-knuckle boxing and slap fighting cross that line—and he has no interest in ever joining them.
