Max
Holloway wants “real life BMF” Mark Coleman
to wrap the belt around the winner of his UFC
300 clash against Justin
Gaethje.
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Gaethje puts his BMF title on the line in a lightweight clash
against “Blessed” at the milestone event on April 13 at the
T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The BMF title has historically been
presented by a notable personality, first by Dwayne „The Rock“
Johnson to Jorge
Masvidal and then a retired Masvidal presenting it to Gaethje
after the latter’s victory.
When asked whom Holloway would like to present the belt for his
fight against Gaethje, the Hawaiian said there’s only one correct
answer: Coleman. Holloway labeled Coleman a “real life BMF” owing
to the former UFC heavyweight champion’s recent
heroic actions.
Coleman’s childhood home in Fremont, Ohio, recently caught fire
when the former Olympian was visiting his parents. It was the
family pup, “Hammer,” that awakened Coleman, who then saved both
his parents. Coleman then went back inside, risking his life for
Hammer, who unfortunately couldn’t be rescued. The UFC Hall of
Famer suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a
local hospital. A fundraiser set up to support Coleman’s treatment
has stopped taking donations after raising over $121,000. Coleman
was
able to make a quick recovery, even overcoming a case of
pneumonia after being initially discharged from the hospital.
Coleman was also shown facing off with Daniel
Cormier in an edited promo for UFC 300, which Holloway believes
might hint at a potential appearance.
“I mean the only correct answer is Mark Coleman, man,” Holloway
told MMA Junkie. “Especially with what he went through
recently with his dog and his dog waking up and his dog waking him
up to go save his stuff and he go in there and run for his dog.
Guy’s a G, bro. That’s a real life BMF so that’s the only right
answer, man. I think they used him in that little promo video too
right? Facing off with ‚DC‘ right? Yeah. So maybe that’s a hint,
maybe he comes. It would be sick if he did, it would be an honor to
get him to do it.”
The significance of the BMF title has often been questioned, with
critics citing its lack of relevance in the real title picture of
any weight class. While Holloway is aware of the opportunities that
might arise if he wins the strap, the former featherweight champ is
more excited to share the Octagon with his opponent.
“I mean the belt is the belt. The belt is cool, it’s whatever,”
Holloway said. “You know things that come with the belt can be life
changing so we’ll see what happens. But I’m more excited that I get
to share the Octagon with Gaethje, man. It’s amazing, man. It’s
amazing being able to share the Octagon with a future Hall of Famer
in him. And title — no title, being able to fight him is one of the
best things I’m looking forward to.”