Poirier is deemed by many as the best UFC fighter never to win an undisputed title. After beating Holloway to win the interim lightweight title, he was submitted by regular champion Khabib Nurmagomedov while trying to unify the belts.

Holloway is two fights removed from a failed featherweight title bid against Topuria, the only person to knockout Holloway in 35 professional fights. Topuria and Holloway subsequently moved full-time to lightweight. Topuria knocked out Oliveira to win the vacant 155-pound title, and Holloway defended the BMF belt against a retiring Poirier.