UFC: Max Holloway prepared to step in for Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier – ‘I’m just a call away’
- ‘Any weight can get it – I’m willing to fight at anything, I’m a modern-day gladiator,’ says former featherweight champ Holloway
- ‘Blessed’ keen to ‘mix it up’ with a submission win against No 6-ranked Calvin Kattar in UFC Fight Island 7 main event
Former featherweight champ Max Holloway returns to face Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Island 7 on Sunday in what will be his first fight without a title on the line in four and a half years.
The 29-year-old “Blessed” (21-6) accordingly has a resume stacked with wins over legends and former champs such as Jose Aldo (29-7), Frankie Edgar (23-8-1) and Anthony Pettis (24-10).
Having also faced Conor McGregor (22-4), and Dustin Poirier (26-6, one no contest) – twice – he would be a natural choice to step in, should injury or Covid-19 strike ahead of their blockbuster UFC 257 main event.
“We’ll see what happens,” Holloway said. “First things first, we’ve got Kattar. But I never count nothing out. UFC, I’m just a call away.
“Any weight can get it. I’m willing to fight at anything. I’m a modern-day gladiator and the last time I checked these gladiators back in the day didn’t walk around with a scale.”
Given Holloway’s last meeting with Poirier was for the interim strap at 155 pounds, he’s certainly walked the walk as well as talked the talk.
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Holloway has first-hand knowledge of “The Notorious” and “The Diamond”, but suggested he’d rather just enjoy the action than make a prediction.
“That fight is super exciting,” he said. “I hate picking fights but man, those two guys … Conor is looking good. Poirier has been looking good. I can’t wait, I’m excited to be a fan and enjoy the fight. I think fight fans are in for a treat.”
In No 6-ranked Kattar, Holloway faces one of the best strikers in the division. The Hawaii native’s own striking is often revered as some of the greatest in the sport, too.
But he is keen to show off his grappling, having not won via submission since beating Cub Swanson with a guillotine in 2015.
“People keep talking about his boxing. People talk about my boxing a lot,” Holloway said. “I just can’t wait to go in there and mix it up.
“This is MMA. My jiu-jitsu is a whole different part of my game that people don’t really get to see. I love jiu-jitsu. So, we’ll see what happens. If I’ve got to go a little deeper in the bag for that, then so be it.”
