Max Holloway Not Chasing McGregor Rematch: ‘We Know Who The Best In The World Is’
When or if Conor McGregor returns to the UFC in 2018 is the hot topic on everyone’s lips at the moment, but one man who doesn’t appear to be particularly interested in whether he does or not is the UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway.
The Hawaiian is receiving multiple awards for his achievements in 2017 from plenty of MMA media sites this week, but in 2018 he’s planning to go even bigger. Speaking to the ‘Anik and Florian Podcast’ on Monday, Holloway was asked about when he would like to return and he reiterated that he was focused on being an active defending champion.
“We will see what happens, but the June and December fights that I’ve done for the last two years is perfect,” Holloway said. “Now, I’m just focused on healing up some injuries and then I’ll get back into a hard training camp. My body is feeling great and in my last fight I didn’t take too much damage and I did the first time against Aldo so let’s see what happens. I’m just waiting, whatever the UFC want to do, I’m just waiting. I want to fight and to prove you’re the best you got to stay active.”
With so many contenders both in and outside of his weight class wanting a crack at the gold, Holloway isn’t short of options. He did however, give a timely reminder to everyone at 155-pounds talking about wanting to fight him and said that they would be better off waiting around until he makes the inevitable move up, rather than trying to cut the extra 10-pounds.
“Like I said, we’re finally bringing pride back to this division and a lot of new contenders want to come up,” Holloway said. It’s exciting times in the featherweight division and even 155, I want to defend my title and this and that, but people keep saying they want to come down to 145 and challenge me in my weight class, you guys should hold on.
“I don’t want any excuses when you guys come down here about having to lose 10-pounds. I’ll gain 10-pounds easy and I’ll come fight you guys and prove that I’m the best.”
Having faced Conor McGregor back in Aug. 2013, there’s of course plenty of talk of a rematch. Holloway isn’t of the people campaigning for it, but he did say that if the Irishman returns and wants some, then he’d be more than happy to oblige and get his revenge.
“The UFC actually, before we sorted that contract before my last fight, before I fought Frankie, we were going back and forth with contracts and stuff and they brought up Conor at 155,” Holloway said. “Let’s see what happens. What happened between me and him, it happened a long time ago. I expected him to hold that win over my head, but it is what it is you know.
“At the end of the day, if we don’t end up fighting, it is sad. We know who the best in the world is and I’ve said it before, if you want to fight the best, you come fight Blessed. If that guy, if he doesn’t want to come back and just wants to enjoy life, then enjoy life you know. There’s no reason to be chasing someone that doesn’t want to fight you. I’m here, I’m waiting.”
