The UFC’s featherweight division, after a long time, has moved on from Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. The duo have been dominating the 145-pound division for almost the past decade with the title having changed hands from ‘Blessed’ to ‘Volk’ in 2019. However, Ilia Topuria has broken out as a new superstar of the division after knocking out ‘Volk’ in their UFC 298 clash earlier this year.

Now he will face Holloway in a featherweight title clash on UFC 308 in late October to prove he is the best featherweight in the world. What makes the bout even more interesting is that ‘Blessed’ is the reigning BMF champion. However, despite this, the largely ceremonial title is not up for grabs in their upcoming Abu Dhabi clash, which has puzzled many. Thankfully Chael Sonnen has a simple and easy-to-understand explanation for it.

Sonnen reveals ‘money’ is behind Max Holloway’s BMF title not being on the table

‘Uncle Chael’, along with being a verbose UFC analyst and former superstar, is one of those who understands the business side of the sport almost like no one else. And business is precisely why Sonnen feels the BMF title is not on the line on Topuria-Holloway. “If we’re doing a title match anyway… Why not just put it [BMF title] up? Well, my guess is something along the lines of how effective it is for marketing. So if you had both belts on one guy, right,” Sonnen said in a recent video on his YouTube channel.

The former middleweight title contender pointed out how it would be bad business for the UFC to have both titles on the line for UFC 308. After all, Dana White and co. could build and market another PPV card around the BMF title in the future. Given the excitement around Holloway’s exceptional performance, which was also the front-runner for the ‘Fight of the Year’ honors, the result of the UFC 308 main bout could only add to it!

“Let’s not forget the marketing effects that that belt has. We agree there’s something that matters about the belt… we can also establish how coveted the BMF is… To waste it or to use it in something that doesn’t get a bounce [would not be good business],” he added. Nevertheless, after Topuria’s dominant win over Volkanoski, and Holloway’s flying kicks, stylistically, fans cannot wait for their featherweight title bout, even if the BMF belt is off the table.

Ilia Topuria advises ‘Blessed’ to wear a helmet to their clash

As far as chins go, Max Holloway has one of the best chins in the business. Over the thirty fights in the past more than a decade as a professional fighter, Holloway has not been knocked out once, despite the Hawaiian having exclusively fought top-ranked guys and champions over the past few years.

Holloway, of course, is a striker, and not just any striker but a historically great striker, ready and willing to leave it all in the ring, always up to stand and bang. And his clash against Justin Gaethje earlier this year is a clear testament to that. Regardless, Ilia Topuria doesn’t think Holloway should really try going toe-to-toe with him. Why?

Well because the Spaniard thinks ‘Blessed’ is not up to the task, and will get knocked out. “If someone really wants to make money, they have to put that I’m gonna knock him out in the first or second round. If he’s gonna bring the same energy he brings in the last 10 seconds of every round like when he (points at the ground), I’m gonna knock him out in the first round… I recommend him to use a helmet,” Topuria told MMA Junkie in a recent interview.

Either way, ‘El Matador’ predicts that Holloway wouldn’t make it through the first ten minutes of the clash, which is why he advised the BMF champ to wear a helmet for their fight.

What are your predictions for their UFC 308 clash?