Don’t Name It A Comeback
With UFC 307 within the rearview mirror all eyes at the moment are firmly set on the Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi, the place former featherweight champion Max Holloway will try to win again the belt he held between 2017 and 2019 as he squares off in opposition to Ilia Topuria within the UFC 308 important occasion later this month.
After initially surrendering his title to Alexander Volkanovski in December of 2019 (and subsequently shedding twice extra to the Australian) “Blessed” appeared to be trapped in featherweight limbo, taking out a succession of rising contenders akin to Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez and Arnold Allen however with no actual probability of getting a fourth crack on the champion. Topuria’s gorgeous victory over Volkanovski at UFC 298 modified every thing nonetheless, and when Holloway pulled off one of the memorable moments in UFC historical past by knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, the celebrities aligned completely for the pair to fulfill when the UFC lands within the center east on Oct. 26.
Returning To Featherweight
Provided that Holloway made the transfer as much as 155 lbs. for his BMF title struggle with Gaethje in April, questions have been raised about his capacity to make 145 lbs. once more. Talking on his YouTube channel this week, the previous champion assured followers that he gained’t have any issues in that regard:
“I imply, everyone retains speaking in regards to the weight right here coming into this struggle” mentioned Holloway. “The entire thing, the entire query in regards to the final struggle was the burden, and now the entire query about this struggle is the burden due to what we did within the final struggle (shifting as much as light-weight). It’s what it’s. I bought one of the best particular person behind me…I bought my spouse, she’s cheffing it up, and like I mentioned, I bought my man Tyler Minton (Holloway’s nutritionist) again on the staff, he’s gonna be on the market with us on struggle week and he’s the most effective guys within the biz. However I’ve by no means missed weight…I’ve by no means missed weight in my complete profession and I ain’t planning on beginning to miss weight for this struggle”.
Holloway Guarantees Fireworks
Though he’s simply 32 years outdated, Holloway has been combating contained in the Octagon since 2012 and after falling brief in his final three featherweight title fights, loads of followers might be forgiven for believing that the Hawaiian was maybe getting into the twilight of his spectacular profession. Holloway maintained his perception that he might get again to the highest of the division, nonetheless, and promised the followers that they’re in for a deal with at UFC 308.
“It took a complete lot of labor to get again right here” he mentioned. “I imply, I’ve been saying it over and time and again how individuals mentioned that I shouldn’t be right here, I ought to have did one thing else, I ought to deal with one thing else, I’m carried out, I’m previous what I can do on this sport. Then once more, we’re right here, we’re combating for a world title in opposition to this new technology they’re speaking about so I’m excited. I get the joy, I do know why you guys are excited. The cardboard is loopy, our struggle (mine and Ilia’s) is without doubt one of the most anticipated fights of the 12 months and all I can say is tune in, reside on pay-per-view, Oct. 26.
“You guys are gonna be in for a deal with, it’s gonna be a enjoyable struggle, and I can’t wait man, I can’t wait to point out what we’ve been working. As a result of lots of people are MMA consultants and there’s been numerous discuss so I can’t wait to go on the market and present you guys what we’ve been doing”.
