Dana White Has Linked Max Holloway With a Move Up to Lightweight… Now Fans Are Excited by the Chance of Him Fighting Conor McGregor Again…
What a night Max Holloway had in Toronto. He established himself as perhaps the best featherweight of all time – although Jose Aldo’s record definitely still deserves respect. On Saturday night in the Scotiabank Arena, he set a new record for strikes landed in one fight (254) and came through moments of adversity to overwhelm Brian Ortega.
The big question is where does Holloway go from here. There aren’t many big name fights left for him at 145lbs, and he’s a big boy for the weight class, so a move up to lightweight could well be on the horizon for ‘Blessed.’ UFC President Dana White confirmed that he would be speaking to the Hawaiian about it.
This has fans excited because he could also be in line to fight Conor McGregor for a second time. Now, this would definitely be a very interesting match-up.
Move Up
Holloway has had well-documented health problems from trying to make weight in the past. He was infamously rushed to hospital the last time he tried to make weight, prompting rumours of a mini-stroke, which proved to be unfounded. Allegedly – according to Michael Bisping – he was concussed earlier in the week during a sparring session. Dana White said in the post-fight press conference:
“Honestly, listen, Max is a grown man and I’d like to talk, but I’d like to see Max go to 155 now. The guy is 27 and going on 28 years old. He’s in the prime of his life, has never looked better, continues to improve with every single fight that he is in, and I think he has done everything he can do at 145.”
“Why keep cutting that weight? I think there are some big things for him at 155. If Holloway goes to 155,” White added, “every guy in the top five is a fun fight.”
Mandatory credit: USA TODAY Sports.
Rematch
Of course, there’s one man in the lightweight division whose future is at a crossroads. What will Conor McGregor do next? The Irishman has been linked to a fight with Dustin Poirier, but if Holloway moves up, then that too would be a fascinating option.
“Yeah,” White replied. “There’s a lot of fights for him at that weight. Every guy in that top five is an interesting, exciting fight for Holloway. That’s why I say there are bigger and better things for him at 155.”
Holloway and McGregor fought back in 2013 in Boston, with ‘The Notorious’ winning a dominant decision. ‘Blessed’ was only 22 at the time and many fans believe that he has too much for McGregor now. Check out some of the reactions below:
@BigToneMMA: “Max Holloway beats Conor McGregor at ANY weight class right now.”
@boxingboi: “Would love to see the @TheNotoriousMMA vs @BlessedMMA at featherweight. Im sure its a rematch that Max would like. I don’t see Conor being that keen though, not after seeing the beating @BrianTcity just took.”
@Paulie_lufc: “I prefer @TheNotoriousMMA at 155lbs or 170lbs weight #imo BUT i would love to see a rematch between him & #MaxHolloway Max has come a long way since his defeat against CM,,so it would be a interesting fight, #ConorMcGregor still wins for me,but I’d say it would be some fight #UFC”
