“It seems like Max puts things together and is in position to throw combinations better”.
Max Holloway might not be the ‘best boxer in MMA’, but the former UFC featherweight champion is certainly has better hands than Conor McGregor.
That’s according to ‘uncrowned champ’ Dustin Poirier, who owns wins over both Holloway and McGregor, beating the latter via second-round TKO at UFC 257 this past January.
‘The Diamond’ believes ‘The Notorious’ is the stronger puncher but says ‘Blessed’s’ combinations are the difference maker between the two strikers.
“Conor’s definitely the better puncher,” Poirier told renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas in a recent interview (h/t MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun). “It seems like Max puts things together and is in position to throw combinations better. I think Max Holloway.”
Atlas, who has trained boxing champions such as Michael Moorer, Barry McGuigan, and Donny LaLonde, agrees with Poirier and believes Holloway is the more complete boxer.
“To Dustin’s point picking Holloway,” Atlas said. “I think in his mind, same as mine, he’s seen that the guy has more of the complete package – the consistency of all the elements it takes to be a great boxer.”
Holloway put on a striking masterclass against Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Island 7, proclaiming himself the best boxer in the sport after landing a record-breaking 445 strikes over the course of five rounds in the main event. McGregor promised to put on an even better show against Poirier in the UFC 257 main event but found himself knocked out in the second round after succumbing to a vicious flurry.
Poirier, Holloway, and McGregor are all considered to be amongst some of the greatest boxers in UFC history.