After Max Holloway showing his best performance yet against Calvin Kattar, there is no argument that Holloway deserves another title shot even though he just lost back to back against the current champion.
Max Holloway fought like a true boxer was even compared to Muhammad Ali, just slipping punches. He was “Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee”. Coming to fight most media thought that Kattar was one of the best boxers in the UFC, Holloway proved that his boxing may be different but can beat even the best.
Happy Birthday, King! Just trying to follow your lead. @MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/MZqY3zYI97
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 17, 2021
It also seemed like Holloway choosing not to spar makes him even sharper. Although he also has said that it is because he achieved that level already that he does not need to spar anymore. He has had a lot of sparring sessions that made him the fighter that he is today.
Alexander Volkanovski was even impressed by his performance but of course, said that he can not do that type of performance if he faces him.
Good fight @BlessedMMA but you ain’t pulling those numbers when I’m in front of you!! pic.twitter.com/k8h4O54PQ4
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 17, 2021
The fight ended in a controversial decision where many thought Holloway won by razor-thin. Most would agree that Holloway clearly won rounds one and two and Volkanovksi won rounds four and five. The coin toss of the round that would lead to who won the fight was round three. It was arguable as to who won the fight.
Dana White who calls the shots in the UFC also agreed that Holloway deserves another title shot. With that type of performance who would not agree to another chance. If Dana White thinks it is the fight to make then it is very likely that the fight will happen. Although Volkanovski is currently booked to fight Brian Ortega, whoever wins the fight still makes for Holloway to fight.
There are still other contenders in the mix but lacks inactivity or is coming off a loss. Two fighters that are coming off a win but still lack another would be Zabit Magomedsharipov and Yair Rodriguez, they were both scheduled to face each other but Rodriguez pulled out of the fight twice already. Kattar and Sun Jung are both coming off a loss.
Holloway has said that Volkanovski wants a different fight and not the toughest fight. He said, “He knows that I am the toughest fight in the division”. Both have had fun exchanges, this just makes the fans even more amped up.
