UFC 300: Max Holloway Dismisses "Naysayers" Before Justin Gaethje Title Fight
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is ready to defy fan expectations when he makes his lightweight return against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
“Blessed” moved up a division for the first time at UFC 236 to rematch Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title, but unfortunately the Hawaiian’s 13-fight win streak came to an end when he dropped a unanimous decision in that bout.
Holloway will now return to lightweight at UFC 300 for a highly anticipated BMF title matchup with Gaethje, and the former featherweight king doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that some fans expect things to go the same way as in his rematch with Poirier.
Holloway suffered his second loss to Poirier in his lightweight debut.
(John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports)
“When I first threw out the tweet [suggesting the fight] in October, a lot of people [were] going crazy,” Holloway told ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto. “Of course, there are some naysayers [talking about] what happened because of the last time I went to [155] with the Poirier fight – the second one. It is what it is, you know? That’s such a different – that was so many years ago.”
Known for having one of the most durable chins in UFC history, Holloway appeared to struggle with Poirier’s power when he made his lightweight debut and wasn’t able to overwhelm “The Diamond” with his usual high-volume striking style.
“Blessed” immediately opened as an underdog when his UFC 300 matchup with Gaethje was announced, but the 32-year-old is certain his second outing at lightweight will be different than the first.
Gaethje claimed the BMF title when he knocked out Poirier in his last bout.
(Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports)
“I have four or five years – whatever it is – of just being a grown up, being smart, and doing things the right way now. At the end of the day, I just can’t wait. There’s always gonna be naysayers. In this sport, you’re only as good as your last fight. So I go out there, do my thing at UFC 300 and [do] what I’ve been doing my whole career, you know? Proving the naysayers wrong.”
Holloway’s legendary chin will certainly be tested at UFC 300, as Gaethje is one of the most violent fighters in the sport and is coming off an incredible head kick knockout in his own rematch with Poirier at UFC 291.
“The Highlight” will attempt to become the first fighter to defend the BMF title when he meets Holloway in the Octagon at UFC 300, and UFC CEO Dana White recently revealed that Kayla Harrison will also make her promotional debut at that event against former bantamweight queen Holly Holm.
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