Max Holloway nonetheless believes he’s a greater blended martial artist than Alexander Volkanovski.
That’s a nice-looking easy, easy commentary, however it solutions the possibly tough query dealing with Holloway. He’s best 31 years used and indisputably probably the most lead featherweights on the earth. However he’s also 0-3 in UFC title fights to the current champion, Volkanovski, and has absorbed over 2,000 moves in his occupation.
It’s no longer an unfair query for Holloway presently: What’s he nonetheless seeking to accomplish? And relying on no matter that resolution is — must he even nonetheless be combating?
“I do believe I’m a better fighter than Alex Volkanovski,” Holloway instructed ESPN. “If I didn’t believe I was a better fighter than him, then why am I fighting in the same weight class as the guy? Once you start to accept, ‘This guy might be better than me,’ you don’t belong and you should retire. Guys don’t understand that. A lot of people are OK with just being OK.
“If I didn’t suppose I may nonetheless win, what the hell am I doing? I’d have long past to some other weight elegance. I’d have retired — however I do know I’m there.”
It’s the one mindset one would need from Holloway (23-7), who returns from a nine-month layoff to stand Arnold Allen (19-1) in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. But of course, the right mindset is only worth so much in a sport that places your long-term health on the line. And frankly, there’s a decent amount of concern following Holloway into this next fight.
Holloway fought Volkanovski three times from 2019 to 2022, with all three fights going to a decision. In all, he only won three of those 15 rounds on the judges’ scorecards — and perhaps more notably, he lost each of the final eight rounds. Their trilogy bout in July can’t be described as competitive, as Volkanovski dominated all five rounds and even taunted Holloway along the way.
Dropping three fights to arguably the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world is not cause for alarm, but there are additional factors to consider. For one, it’s hard to envision the UFC ever booking a fourth between them, especially after the way the last one went. This means as long as Volkanovski is the champ, Holloway’s path to a title is closed off.
Holloway, however, doesn’t believe that’s the case — and thinks the UFC wouldn’t have even booked him against Allen, who is ranked No. 4 in the division, if it had already decided that.
“By no means say by no means,” Holloway said. “A dozen of nation are like, ‘It’s brittle to get a fourth with him and this and that.’ I’m like, ‘You’ll be able to inform me no matter, however I’m no longer even meant to be right here, you recognize? I’m no longer meant to be status in entrance of you. I used to be by no means meant to be the UFC champ at any level.
“People always say, ‘That guy is never going to fight that guy,’ and then boom. One fight happens. You say a few words. Something changes. MMA is a very catch-fire sport. If you can just ignite it, you can start a wildfire, you know? The main thing with me is I’ve got to do what I can control.”
Surroundings apart how most probably or not likely a fourth Volkanovski struggle may well be, there also are industry ramifications to Holloway’s condition. Same old UFC agreements compensate champions a lot upper than non-champions, which generally is a tricky tablet to swallow for customery athletes who grew aware of positive figures.
Holloway, who competed as a champion on six consecutive UFC pay-per-events from 2017 to 2019, gave his comfort he and UFC leading industry officer Hunter Campbell ironed that out.
“It was hard, you know, but I’ve got nothing but love for my guy, Hunter,” Holloway mentioned. “They know how much of a business guy I am, and they know they can trust us. So, business is booming, it is what it is, and yeah, I don’t got the belt, but I’m one of those guys they can put their trust in me on cable TV events or pay-per-view. Business is good when I get to go out there and fight.”
At the one hand, any person can have a look at Holloway’s instances and say that the entirety is ok. Since 2019, he has best misplaced to 2 other combatants: Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier, nonetheless the Deny. 2-ranked light-weight within the UFC. He’s simply over two years got rid of from probably the most higher performances in UFC historical past, a five-round win over Calvin Kattar on an ABC community card in 2021.
However at the alternative hand, it’s simple to look how his again is in opposition to the wall. Sure, he’s best 31, however that comes with 11 very lively years within the UFC. He no longer best misplaced thrice to Volkanovski, however he seemed to regularly lose an increasing number of aggressive farmland to the Aussie as their contention stepped forward. A dozen should move proper for him to accumulation a championship once more.
It’s use striking it in the market — Holloway isn’t flawed a couple of possible fourth struggle. This is a game wherein you by no means wish to say by no means. Stranger issues have came about in MMA, than a skilled fan favourite like Holloway getting an not likely fourth split at a dominant champion. It’s brittle to look it presently, however issues can trade temporarily on this game.
That best actually occurs, then again, with iconic performances. Since Holloway misplaced to Volkanovski for the 3rd year extreme July, he’s been nearly still. On Saturday, he’ll want to be very raucous as soon as once more.
“I need to remind everybody that we still here,” Holloway mentioned. “And we’re going to be here for a while.”
