Max Holloway has revealed his ambitions at light-weight transcend only one large title battle. In latest feedback, he has listed a brief record of potential opponents at 155 kilos, all of whom are crossover attracts and are being talked about as professional threats to his standing as the highest light-weight within the UFC, whereas retaining the BMF title he received from Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Max Holloway needs McGregor rematch and Makhachev battle at light-weight
In an interview with Stake, “Blessed” Max Holloway defined:
“I need Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev at light-weight. The belt is unquestionably a aim, however I even have the BMF title, which I am very happy with, and that opens up a whole lot of actually attention-grabbing fights. After which there’s Conor McGregor, who needs to get again within the cage. I would be mendacity if I mentioned I would not be in that battle. That is Conor McGregor, you must be in that battle.”
“We clearly have our historical past and I believe we’ll be nice within the White Home. The opposite one with me is Khabib. You already know, he is retired, however I really feel like Islam is a part of that crew as nicely, and I would like to offer Islam a shot as nicely. There’s some thrilling fights forward and I believe we’re in a extremely nice place.”
Holloway’s path again to light-weight started with a 15-round battle in opposition to Dustin Poirier in 2018. On this bout, he stormed up and fought 5 rounds in opposition to the then-title contender, however later admitted he was not in the appropriate form at 155 kilos. Forward of UFC 300, he spoke in regards to the time he spent getting ready his physique for 155, saying he was cautious to not get too cumbersome so he may preserve the velocity that outlined his fashion at featherweight. On the identical night time at UFC 300, Holloway took on Justin Gaethje in a grueling 25-minute battle, taking the BMF belt by knockout with one second remaining. The match shortly turned one of the replayed finishes of the yr.
The BMF title has now turn out to be an necessary a part of his story. Holloway identified that the belt is greater than only a gimmick. It carries weight within the room because it tends to take a seat across the waist of the fighter that followers think about to be probably the most harmful and entertaining choice within the division. He mentioned he likes the potential of defending the belt, even on a UFC White Home-style card, and floated the concept of dealing with a high light-weight within the division like Charles Oliveira as the following step.
I met Conor McGregor again in 2013. On the time, the younger Holloway and the up-and-coming McGregor confronted off in a three-round bout, with McGregor successful by choice. Since then, each males have turn out to be champions and had pay-per-view attracts, however by no means lined up for a rematch. Holloway has made it clear he will not flip down a second date with McGregor, particularly if the BMF belt is on the road at light-weight. He additionally mentioned that after McGregor formally returns, this battle shall be one of many largest within the sport, even when it is not a divisional championship battle.
His ties to Makhachev date again to the times of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Holloway has beforehand referred to Islam as “Khabib 2.0” and acknowledged that Makhachev represents the core of the identical Dagestan crew that after dominated the division. Holloway admitted at one level that Makhachev did not need to battle him, even when Holloway was brazenly speaking about shifting as much as 155, however mentioned that latest conversations modified Makhachev’s tone about this matchup. The battle with Makhachev places Holloway in a real light-weight title battle, whereas additionally serving as a conventional fashion check in opposition to the division’s most technically sound grapplers.
In different phrases, Holloway is positioning himself as a bridge between the featherweight and light-weight worlds. He nonetheless considers the UFC 155-pound title his main aim, however plans to make use of his BMF belt, his previous with Conor McGregor, and the Khabib-Makhachev saga to maintain him within the highlight whereas he waits for the appropriate matchup and timing.
