Max Holloway: 5 Defining Moments
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Max Holloway (20-3) is the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship’s featherweight champion. In his next bout, Holloway will be looking to become a multi-division champion. To achieve this dream, he’ll have to defeat Dustin Poirier to earn the interim lightweight belt at UFC 236.
As we approach fight day, here are five things that you might not
know about the 27-year-old native of Hawaii they call
“Blessed.”
In March 2011, the then 19-year-old Holloway fought for the Hawaii-based X-1 organization’s lightweight strap in his third fight. His opponent was the vastly more experienced Harris Sarmiento. The duel proved to be a closely-contested affair. After five rounds, Holloway came out the winner via split decision. This was the first time that the teenager had tasted championship gold.
In his promotional debut, Holloway met Dustin Poirier at UFC 143. In the first stanza, Holloway found himself mounted with his more established rival on top. From there Poirier transitioned to a mounted triangle choke that forced “Blessed” to submit. It was the first setback of the Hawaiian’s career and one that he will look to avenge on April 13.
In August 2013, Holloway faced rising star Conor McGregor at UFC Fight Night 26. Much of the clash took place on the feet, where the two traded blows. When the action hit the mat, “Notorious” worked away with punches from top position. Although the veteran was competitive, McGregor landed the more damaging strikes, and the judges all sided with the Irishman. It was the toughest challenge McGregor had experienced in the UFC to that point and it marked the last time Holloway tasted defeat.
At UFC 206, Holloway met Anthony Pettis for the interim featherweight belt. The build-up to the contest was marred by Pettis missing weight, making him ineligible for the title. “Blessed” utilized his trademark footwork and voluminous striking to get the better of the former UFC lightweight titleholder. The third frame was nearing its end when Holloway landed a body kick that hurt his rival. Having closed the distance, he blasted short punches to the head and body of Pettis, which dumped him to the canvas with 10 seconds remaining.
Now on a 10-fight winning streak, Holloway looked to unify the title when he faced Jose Aldo at UFC 212. From the outset, “Blessed” used his reach advantage and footwork to outbox the Brazilian. As the match wore on, it was apparent that Holloway’s frenetic striking output was proving too much for his adversary. In the third, the Hawaiian connected with a right hand to the chin that dropped Aldo to the canvas. Holloway immediately swarmed on his fallen foe with a relentless barrage of punches that eventually culminated in the referee calling a halt to the beatdown. With that TKO triumph, Holloway became the unified UFC Featherweight Champion.
Max Holloway (20-3) is the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship’s featherweight champion. In his next bout, Holloway will be looking to become a multi-division champion. To achieve this dream, he’ll have to defeat Dustin Poirier to earn the interim lightweight belt at UFC 236.
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He Won Gold Early On
In March 2011, the then 19-year-old Holloway fought for the Hawaii-based X-1 organization’s lightweight strap in his third fight. His opponent was the vastly more experienced Harris Sarmiento. The duel proved to be a closely-contested affair. After five rounds, Holloway came out the winner via split decision. This was the first time that the teenager had tasted championship gold.
First Case of Adversity
In his promotional debut, Holloway met Dustin Poirier at UFC 143. In the first stanza, Holloway found himself mounted with his more established rival on top. From there Poirier transitioned to a mounted triangle choke that forced “Blessed” to submit. It was the first setback of the Hawaiian’s career and one that he will look to avenge on April 13.
Clashing Against McGregor
In August 2013, Holloway faced rising star Conor McGregor at UFC Fight Night 26. Much of the clash took place on the feet, where the two traded blows. When the action hit the mat, “Notorious” worked away with punches from top position. Although the veteran was competitive, McGregor landed the more damaging strikes, and the judges all sided with the Irishman. It was the toughest challenge McGregor had experienced in the UFC to that point and it marked the last time Holloway tasted defeat.
Interim Glory
At UFC 206, Holloway met Anthony Pettis for the interim featherweight belt. The build-up to the contest was marred by Pettis missing weight, making him ineligible for the title. “Blessed” utilized his trademark footwork and voluminous striking to get the better of the former UFC lightweight titleholder. The third frame was nearing its end when Holloway landed a body kick that hurt his rival. Having closed the distance, he blasted short punches to the head and body of Pettis, which dumped him to the canvas with 10 seconds remaining.
Beating a Legend
Now on a 10-fight winning streak, Holloway looked to unify the title when he faced Jose Aldo at UFC 212. From the outset, “Blessed” used his reach advantage and footwork to outbox the Brazilian. As the match wore on, it was apparent that Holloway’s frenetic striking output was proving too much for his adversary. In the third, the Hawaiian connected with a right hand to the chin that dropped Aldo to the canvas. Holloway immediately swarmed on his fallen foe with a relentless barrage of punches that eventually culminated in the referee calling a halt to the beatdown. With that TKO triumph, Holloway became the unified UFC Featherweight Champion.
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