While Max
Holloway was eyeing a title shot, he also wanted to be on the
UFC 300 card.
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A “BMF” title fight against Justin
Gaethje was good enough to make the latter a reality.
Holloway has bested the majority of the UFC’s featherweight
division with the exception of reigning champion Alexander
Volkanovski, who owns three victories over the Hawaiian. After
earning consecutive victories over Arnold
Allen and Chan Sung
Jung, Holloway had been rallying for yet another shot against
Volkanovski. However, the promotion decided to book “The Great”
against undefeated Spanish contender Ilia
Topuria for
UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California.
Things eventually worked out well for Holloway with a booking
against Gaethje on the marquee UFC
300 card.
“Oliveira and Islam was booked, I just came off a big win with
‘Korean Zombie,’ and then the 45 title was booked too at the same
time,” Holloway told Kevin Iole. “So, he had the ‘BMF’ belt and I
like options. At 45, I think the next step for me is back for the
title. We was being undeniable. We had that third fight with Volk.
I had to go fight Arnold. We did that. They gave me the fight
against ‘Korean Zombie’ over out in Asia, and that was a fun one.
We did that, and what’s next is a title shot, we was thinking. They
went a different way, and in this sport, having options is
great.”
Holloway also likes the options that may open up with a potential
win over Gaethje, as he could defend the ‘BMF’ strap in both
divisions.
“It’s options,” he said. “I think a lot of doors are going to get
opened, a lot of options are going to be open. We’ll see what
happens. … First things first is the man in front of me. I got a
dangerous guy in Justin
Gaethje, but we’re going to handle him first, and then after
that, like I said: It’s just a game of options. A lot of things can
open up after this fight. That’s what I’m focused on. Focused on
getting my hand raised, and shock the world, I guess… This is a
card I really wanted to be a part of because I know I’m not going
to be around for 400. And if I am, please tell me to retire.“
Many believe Holloway will have a significant power disadvantage
against Gaethje, who is currently a -225 favorite and coming off a
head-kick knockout win over Dustin
Poirier.
“We almost fight pretty similar, but the only difference I guess
from what people are saying is the power,” Holloway said. “The
power at [155 pounds], how hard he hits, how hard he kicks. There
are a few different things I have to figure out. I get to see how
hard this guy really punches and how hard he hits come April 13
when we get in there. If we have to make adjustments, I’ll make
adjustments.”