BMF champion Max Holloway believes influencer Deen The Great is biting off more than he can chew in calling out top UFC stars.
Max Holloway is weeks away from returning to the Octagon to defend his BMF title against former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. Holloway will make his second BMF title defense after defeating Dustin Poirier in an instant classic at UFC 318 last year.
As Holloway prepares to return to the cage, he is one of several UFC stars to be called out by influencer Deen The Great, whose real name is Nurideen Shabazz. Shabazz was at the center of a viral clip when he was assaulted by former UFC fighter Tiki Ghosn at a house party earlier this month.
Shabazz recently called for UFC CEO Dana White to ‘send his fighters’ to compete against him in a boxing match. He promised wins over the likes of Sean O’Malley, Ilia Topuria, and Holloway.
It didn’t take long for Holloway to respond to Shabazz’s comments.
Max Holloway responds to Deen The Great’s head-scratching callouts
In a recent live stream on Kick, Holloway responded to Shabazz’s recent comments.
Deen the great just can’t win 🤦🏽 pic.twitter.com/tI9ZgQZD7e
— Kellum (@kellumdemslots) February 18, 2026
“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 said.
“I don’t think he knows that lightweight in boxing is different than lightweight in the UFC… I don’t think he knows that.
“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?” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Shabazz has fought several times in Misfits Boxing, earning wins over notable opponents such as Walid Muhsein, David Fogarty, and Shazan Idrees. Holloway is considered one of the top boxers in the UFC and could potentially move to the ring once his MMA career concludes.
What is your prediction for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira 2? Let us know in the comments!