I can’t remember the last time Conor McGregor recognized someone as the true Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight champion, other than himself, of course, and that includes current 145-pound kingpin Max Holloway.
“Notorious” defeated “Blessed” by way of unanimous decision back when they were “kids in a ‘Fight Night’ show.”
But all that changed when Holloway was admitted to the hospital this week for concussion-like symptoms, as predicted by Michael Bisping. It’s particularly troubling when you consider it happened before his Brian Ortega fight at UFC 226 this weekend in Las Vegas and not after.
“My thoughts and my respect are with 145-pound world champion Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway,” McGregor wrote on social media.
McGregor (21-3) abandoned the featherweight division shortly after wiping the floor with Jose Aldo at UFC 196. Following a pair of trips to welterweight where he settled for a split against Nate Diaz, “Notorious” captured the lightweight crown from Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, then went on to box Floyd Mayweather.
The power-punching Irishman hasn’t been seen since. As a result, he was relieved of his championship duties. In his absence, Holloway (19-3) went on to win 12 straight fights and usurp the featherweight title along the way.
The chance of these two ever running it back, regrettably, seems fairly far-fetched. Ortega, meanwhile, will sit out until “Blessed” is able to make his comeback.