Max Holloway Wanted to ‘Make History’ By Fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov on Six Days Notice
Max Holloway is taking a page out of Walter White’s playbook when it comes to the business of his career because he’s not in the UFC just to make money or win championships.
Holloway is in the empire business.
That’s never been more evident than Holloway accepting a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov on six days notice when the UFC came calling in need of a replacement after Tony Ferguson suffered an injury that kept him out of Saturday night’s card in Brooklyn.
While facing any fighter on six days notice isn’t ideal, Holloway didn’t hesitate for a second because being willing to do what the other guys won’t is what the 26-year old Hawaiian believes will separate him from everybody else when his career is finished.
“The news was crazy. My manager called me, he told me Tony’s hurt and they want you and Khabib. I was like how do you turn down an opportunity like this. Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. Really only one guy [Conor McGregor] was able to do it. Glad to be the second guy and go out there and make history,” Holloway told KHON2 in Hawaii before boarding a plan bound for New York.
“I’m here to fight man. I’m not a matchmaker. I got business to handle at 145 [pounds], but I said, when the UFC calls I’m gonna call away you know? They called the right guy you know? I’m here on six days notice, April 7th. It’s going to be a great night.”
Holloway tells KHON2 he is ready for Khabib and ready to “make history” at #UFC223 https://t.co/YBVBQ330Pl @BlessedMMA #BlessedEra pic.twitter.com/B1Wyeu7eCs
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) April 2, 2018
Of course, Holloway is fighting an uphill battle considering he’s still recovering from an injured ankle that kept him out of UFC 222 just a few weeks ago.
Add to that, Nurmagomedov has been an unstoppable wrecking machine during his UFC career, touting an undefeated record while running roughshod over every opponent he’s faced on his way to the top of the rankings.
Still, Holloway knows that no one is unbeatable and that includes Nurmagomedov.
“I can’t wait. This guy is one of the most feared guys you know? I don’t know why, we are all fighters, we all train. He’s human, I’m human,” Holloway said.
“Let’s get out there and find out who’s better.”
