Even after the performance he put on against Brian Ortega on Saturday night, Max Holloway is not yet ready to consider himself as the greatest featherweight of all-time.
After Saturday night, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway did not only defend his title for the second consecutive time, he also hit a few milestones in his career. He now holds the most number of active wins in the 145-pound division with a total of 15, and he is now tied for the most knockout and TKO wins in UFC featherweight history with a total of 8.
The “Blessed Era” is indeed in full effect, as Holloway himself puts it, but he still refuses to recognize himself as the greatest featherweight fighter of all-time.
“I still believe the greatest featherweight of all time is Jose Aldo,” Holloway told media members at his UFC 231 post-fight scrum (transcript by Sherdog.com). “When I’m 30 or 31 or his age then you ask me if I’m the greatest featherweight of all-time if I’m still here.”
For the 27-year-old Holloway, the ultimate goal goes way beyond the 145-pound division.
“At the end of the day I just want to be the pound-for-pound No. 1,” Holloway said. “I’m the champion, and I keep defending my belt, I’ll be No. 1. If it’s up a weight class, it’s up. If it’s defending my throne.
“If I get to fight one of my good friends, ‘The Daddest Man on the Plant’ [Daniel Cormier] for that title, bring it on Kung Fu Panda. I’ve got you, ‘DC.’ I can see him very soon.”
If it were up to UFC president Dana White, Holloway would be fighting at 155 pounds, next. One of the matchups that already piqued his interest is against Tony Ferguson.