Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“He’s probably the No. 1 most dangerous guy that I’ve prepared for for a guy.”
Renowned coach Mark Henry ranks reigning featherweight champ Max Holloway as Frankie Edgar’s toughest opponent to date, comparing ‘Blessed’ to undefeated Dagestani Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“No. 1 – him and Khabib. Max, I think he just thinks so fast striking-wise, and he can change it up really well,” Henry told MMA Junkie Radio ahead of UFC 240, where Edgar will challenge Holloway in the main event (h/t Mike Drahota of MMA News). “He won’t throw one kick and all of a sudden in the middle of the round throw the same hand, same kick to the head.
“The way he can just go, go again – he has just a bigger punch count than any pro boxer I’ve seen, you know? His punch count is insane. He does like 20-punch combinations, so he’s probably the No. 1 most dangerous guy that I’ve prepared for for a guy.”
Edgar will be at a considerable height disadvantage against Holloway on Saturday but, as only his most loyal fans know, ‘The Answer’ has made a career out of beating bigger men and thriving as the underdog.
“Not only that, as small as he is fighting other guys, so many amazing fighters like Conor (McGregor) fought Nate (Diaz), said he’s too big,” Henry said. “He’s not going back up, or Jon Jones who hasn’t done heavyweight, taking him a while to get up there. It’s dangerous, they’re small gloves and it’s not just weight either. It’s height, it’s range and it’s weight. You’re not only talking about one, but three disadvantages, so I think what Frankie’s been doing, nobody’s ever done.”
UFC 240: Holloway vs. Edgar takes place later this evening, July 27 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.