5 Shocking Facts About Max Holloway's 'Towel Incident' That Led To His UFC 300 Showdown

The "Max Holloway Towel Incident" is one of the most awkward and enduringly viral moments in UFC weigh-in history, an event that transcended a simple wardrobe malfunction to become a genuine, albeit humorous, grudge point years later. While it occurred way back in December 2017, the controversy was unexpectedly resurrected in the lead-up to one of the biggest fights of the current calendar year, giving this strange saga a fresh, new life.

As of late 2024, the incident serves as a perfect example of how the smallest, most human moments can stick to a fighter's legacy. It’s the story of a well-meaning gesture from a fellow fighter—Justin Gaethje—that went hilariously wrong, and how that momentary slip-up became the bizarre, tongue-in-cheek "beef" that fueled a historic BMF title clash at UFC 300. This is the definitive, updated breakdown of the infamous "towel gate."

Max Holloway: Biography and Career Profile

Max Holloway, nicknamed "Blessed," is widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweights in mixed martial arts history. His career is defined by relentless pressure, incredible durability, and some of the highest striking output the sport has ever seen.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

• Full Name: Jerome Max Keliʻi Holloway
• Nickname: Blessed
• Date of Birth: December 4, 1991
• Place of Birth: Waianae, Hawaii, U.S.
• Stance: Orthodox
• Fighting Style: Kickboxing, Boxing, Brawler
• UFC Debut: February 4, 2012 (Loss to Dustin Poirier)
• Championships: UFC Featherweight Champion (2017–2019)
• Notable Feats: Holds the UFC record for most significant strikes landed and most total strikes landed in a single fight.
• Key Opponents: José Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Frankie Edgar, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Chan Sung Jung ("The Korean Zombie").
• Recent Highlight: Delivering a last-second, sensational knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to capture the BMF title.

The Original 'Towel Gate' Incident at UFC 218 (2017)

The infamous "towel incident" took place during the official weigh-ins for UFC 218: Holloway vs. Aldo 2 on December 1, 2017, in Detroit, Michigan. The setting was tense, as Holloway was attempting to make the 145-pound featherweight limit for his title defense against José Aldo.

The Context: Weighing-In Naked

Fighters who are struggling to make weight often strip down completely to maximize their chances of hitting the required number. When this happens, a towel is held in front of them by a commission or UFC official to preserve their privacy. This is a common practice in professional MMA.

The Accidental Helper: Justin Gaethje

At UFC 218, Max Holloway was one of the fighters who needed to weigh in behind the towel. The problem arose when lightweight contender Justin Gaethje, who was also at the event, stepped in to help hold the towel. Gaethje, known for his intense focus and sometimes awkward demeanor, was trying to be helpful but was not an official weigh-in staff member.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

As Holloway stepped onto the scale, Gaethje, in an attempt to look at the scale's reading, inadvertently pulled the towel to the side or down at a critical moment. This brief, unintended movement resulted in Holloway’s private parts being momentarily exposed to the cameras and a portion of the crowd.

Holloway, a consummate professional, barely reacted, maintaining his composure while the officials quickly corrected the situation. The moment was captured on video, quickly going viral and earning the nickname "Towel Gate" in MMA circles.

The Resurfacing: 'Towel Gate' Becomes the UFC 300 Beef (2024)

For years, the incident was a footnote, a funny meme, and a topic of occasional nervous laughter. However, it was dramatically resurrected in the build-up to the highly anticipated UFC 300 event in April 2024, where Max Holloway moved up to the lightweight division to challenge Justin Gaethje for the coveted BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The Tongue-in-Cheek Grudge

During a promotional Q&A session for UFC 300, both fighters were asked about the infamous moment. Holloway, known for his humorous trash talk, immediately seized on the opportunity to make it the official, though entirely fabricated, "beef" for their fight.

Holloway joked that he never forgot the incident, framing the BMF title fight as the ultimate way to settle the score for the wardrobe malfunction. He playfully acknowledged Gaethje’s good intentions, but insisted the embarrassment warranted a fight. Holloway stated, "I am like, 'Bro, you did the right thing.' But I am not going to forget that, Gaethje. I guess that is the whole beef... That is the way to settle this fight."

Gaethje’s Reaction and Apology

Justin Gaethje, for his part, expressed genuine embarrassment and remorse over the 2017 incident. He confirmed that he was simply trying to look at the scale to see the weight reading and misjudged the movement of the towel.

Gaethje even offered a public apology to Holloway years later, acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation. This exchange of playful jabs and sincere apologies created a fantastic, lighthearted narrative for the UFC 300 headliner, proving that even a simple towel mishap can become a major storyline in the sport.

Beyond the Towel: Holloway's Other Weigh-In Dramas

While the "towel incident" is a moment of accidental comedy, it is not the only weigh-in drama in Max Holloway’s career. His struggles with weight cuts, particularly when moving up in weight, have been a serious issue on several occasions, highlighting the brutal nature of the sport's weight-cutting process.

The UFC 223 Tragedy

The most serious weigh-in issue for Holloway came at UFC 223 in April 2018. Holloway stepped in on short notice to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the vacant lightweight championship at 155 pounds, a division above his usual featherweight limit.

The rapid weight gain and subsequent cut proved too much for his body. Holloway was deemed medically unfit by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and was pulled from the fight on the day of the weigh-ins. This was a major setback and a heartbreaking moment for the champion, who was attempting to become a two-division titleholder.

The Legacy of Weight Cuts

These incidents, though different in nature, underscore the physical toll of making weight in MMA. The UFC 218 "towel incident" was a moment of levity, but it happened in the context of a difficult weight cut where Holloway was stripped down to his last ounce of weight. The UFC 223 withdrawal was a stark reminder of the dangers involved.

The fact that Holloway went on to deliver one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history against Gaethje at UFC 300—the man who exposed him years prior—provided a perfect, full-circle conclusion to the "towel gate" saga, turning an embarrassing moment into a legendary rivalry footnote. Holloway settled the "beef" in the most definitive way possible.