Tag: Max Holloway

Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’ 

It takes a mighty fight IQ to impress Max Holloway, but the UFC’s BMF champion thinks one athlete set to make the walk this weekend has exactly that. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week, staging an event in a UK city other than London for the first time since […]

Continue Reading Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’  at MMA News.

It takes a mighty fight IQ to impress Max Holloway, but the UFC’s BMF champion thinks one athlete set to make the walk this weekend has exactly that.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week, staging an event in a UK city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic. The host venue falls in Manchester, with two titles fights and a host of intriguing bouts set to go down inside the Co-op Live arena.

Topping the lineup will be a pair of English titleholders in welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. While the former targets his third successful defense at the expense of Belal Muhammad, the latter will be putting his strap on the line for the first time opposite Curtis Blaydes.

Like most, Holloway has his eyes firmly locked on those two championship collisions. And one of them will see a fighter who boasts a particular talent lauded by “Blessed” enter the Octagon…

Holloway Commends Edwards’ Fight IQ Ahead Of UFC 304

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Holloway provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major matchups set to play out in Manchester on Saturday night.

In terms of the main event, “Blessed” acknowledged that both Edwards and his challenger are “tacticians.” But when it comes to overall fight IQ, the BMF champ suggested that very few can match what “Rocky” brings to the table.

“Belal is a tactician. he’s a gameplanner. He does not stray away from his gameplan,” Holloway said. “But so does Leon, bro. Leon is a tactician. He’s a gameplanner. He sticks to his gameplan no matter what. … A lot of people were counting Leon out (ahead of the Covington fight) like he was gonna get grappled.

“Leon is one of the very few IQs in this game that I respect, man,” Holloway continued. “His fight IQ is super high, super smart. It’s just hard to go against the champ here, bro. I think Belal puts on a fight. Early in the fight, I think it’s a tough fight. But then when we get to the third and then the championship rounds, I think Leon is gonna take over.”

Interestingly, Muhammad has branded his fight IQ as one of the aspects of his game that is being most underrated in the lead-up to UFC 304.

He’ll look to prove that’s the case by using his intelligence and strategical approach to upset the odds and get the better of Edwards on fight night, achieving his long-held goal of UFC title glory in the process.

Continue Reading Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’  at MMA News.

Ilia Topuria teases UFC 307 title fight with Max Holloway: ‘They forced him to say yes’

Ilia Topuria teases UFC 307 title fight with Max Holloway: 'They forced him to say yes'Amid links to a title defense return at UFC 307 at the beginning of October, undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia…

Ilia Topuria teases UFC 307 title fight with Max Holloway: 'They forced him to say yes'

Amid links to a title defense return at UFC 307 at the beginning of October, undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has hinted that his long-rumored fight with former champion, Max Holloway is close to being finalized.

Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion, last featured in the main event of UFC 298 back in February, laying waste to dominant former gold holder and common-opponent, Alexander Volkanovski with a blistering second round knockout win in Anaheim.

Ilia Topuria denies truning down rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in Australia the UFC never offered it

Himself landing spoils last time out – albeit symbolic, Hawaiian star, Holloway scored a buzzer-beating fifth round KO win over Justin Gaethje to win the BMF championship in highlight-reel fashion on the main card of UFC 300 back in April.

Ilia Topuria hints at UFC 307 return

And expected to return at UFC 307 at the beginning of October at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah – as part of a flagship double feature for the promotion that month, Topuria has teased a pairing with Holloway is on the cusp of completion.

Joe Rogan claims Ilia Topuria turned down UFC 305 rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in Perth
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

“It seems that the UFC has forced him to say,” Ilia Topuria posted on his official X account. “El Matador is back. Congratulations to all @ufc fans.”

And subsequently, Holloway would post photos of himself deep into training camp for an expected return, claiming he was waiting to make his comeback in a championship setting.

Max Holloway pleads with Ilia Topuria to stop delaying fight for UFC title I been ready

“Patiently waiting,” Max Holloway posted on his X account. “#BlessedExpress”

Expected to feature a pair of championship fights in their return to Utah, the promotion are working on an undisputed bantamweight title pairing between the incumbent gold holder, Raquel Pennington, and former titleholder, Julianna Pena for that same card at the Delta Center. 

With his knockout win over Volkanovski earlier this year – who thrice beat the above-mentioned, Holloway in featherweight title fights, Topuria improved to 15-0 in professional mixed martial arts. 

Who wins in a featherweight title fight: Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway?

Ilia Topuria teases UFC 307 title fight with Max Holloway: ‘They forced him to say yes’

Ilia Topuria teases UFC 307 title fight with Max Holloway: 'They forced him to say yes'Amid links to a title defense return at UFC 307 at the beginning of October, undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia…

Ilia Topuria teases UFC 307 title fight with Max Holloway: 'They forced him to say yes'

Amid links to a title defense return at UFC 307 at the beginning of October, undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has hinted that his long-rumored fight with former champion, Max Holloway is close to being finalized.

Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion, last featured in the main event of UFC 298 back in February, laying waste to dominant former gold holder and common-opponent, Alexander Volkanovski with a blistering second round knockout win in Anaheim.

Ilia Topuria denies truning down rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in Australia the UFC never offered it

Himself landing spoils last time out – albeit symbolic, Hawaiian star, Holloway scored a buzzer-beating fifth round KO win over Justin Gaethje to win the BMF championship in highlight-reel fashion on the main card of UFC 300 back in April.

Ilia Topuria hints at UFC 307 return

And expected to return at UFC 307 at the beginning of October at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah – as part of a flagship double feature for the promotion that month, Topuria has teased a pairing with Holloway is on the cusp of completion.

Joe Rogan claims Ilia Topuria turned down UFC 305 rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in Perth
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

“It seems that the UFC has forced him to say,” Ilia Topuria posted on his official X account. “El Matador is back. Congratulations to all @ufc fans.”

And subsequently, Holloway would post photos of himself deep into training camp for an expected return, claiming he was waiting to make his comeback in a championship setting.

Max Holloway pleads with Ilia Topuria to stop delaying fight for UFC title I been ready

“Patiently waiting,” Max Holloway posted on his X account. “#BlessedExpress”

Expected to feature a pair of championship fights in their return to Utah, the promotion are working on an undisputed bantamweight title pairing between the incumbent gold holder, Raquel Pennington, and former titleholder, Julianna Pena for that same card at the Delta Center. 

With his knockout win over Volkanovski earlier this year – who thrice beat the above-mentioned, Holloway in featherweight title fights, Topuria improved to 15-0 in professional mixed martial arts. 

Who wins in a featherweight title fight: Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway?

Renato Moicano & Gilbert Burns Break Down Ilia Topuria’s Next Title Defense: ‘What’s He Gonna Do To Max Holloway? Let’s Be Honest!’

Ilia Topuria shocked the world by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 298. Rumors suggest that his first title defense will be against Max Holloway. Although Holloway has lost thrice to Volkanovski, his brand is at an all-time high after his last-second KO win over lightweight Justin Gaethje at UFC […]

Continue Reading Renato Moicano & Gilbert Burns Break Down Ilia Topuria’s Next Title Defense: ‘What’s He Gonna Do To Max Holloway? Let’s Be Honest!’ at MMA News.

Ilia Topuria shocked the world by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 298. Rumors suggest that his first title defense will be against Max Holloway.

Although Holloway has lost thrice to Volkanovski, his brand is at an all-time high after his last-second KO win over lightweight Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He looked flawless in the Octagon that night, and even called out Topuria following the victory.

Here’s how a fight between Topuria and Holloway could go down according to other UFC fighters like Renato Moicano and Gilbert Burns…

Renato Moicano & Gilbert Burns Discuss Whether Ilia Topuria Has The Tools To Beat Max Holloway

Moicano and Burns discussed Topuria vs. Holloway on the Show Me The Money podcast on YouTube recently. The former UFC welterweight title challenger looked back at the events he’s shared with “Blessed” and appreciated the latter’s hard work and skillset.

Burns remembered watching Holloway grapple against elite wrestlers ahead of his fight against “The Korean Zombie” at UFC Singapore. He was amazed by the featherweight’s well-roundedness, strength, and physique.

“He was there, for like a month. oh guys, a high super strong dude. He looks like a 55er, he’s small, but he’s big, he’s very strong dude. I saw him wrestle the good wrestlers, he grappling. Both guys got cardio, both guys got good grappling, they super high level so I gotta, gotta kind of study that fight before.”

“Durinho” isn’t overlooking Topuria though. He acknowledged that the UFC featherweight kingpin is technically gifted too and has the cardio to match Holloway’s pace.

“What’s he gonna do to Max Holloway, let’s be honest. Max Holloway, he’s this crazy, he’s just a little bit old.”

Moicano, on the other hand, isn’t riding on the Topuria hype train. He thinks that “El Matador” cannot harm the former champ on the feet or the ground. The lightweight contender admitted that he picked Volkanovski to beat Topuria too, but he is still not confident about the champ’s ability to get past “Blessed”.

Read More: Chael Sonnen Laughs Off Daniel Cormier’s Claim About Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘Is He Drunk?!’

Continue Reading Renato Moicano & Gilbert Burns Break Down Ilia Topuria’s Next Title Defense: ‘What’s He Gonna Do To Max Holloway? Let’s Be Honest!’ at MMA News.

UFC Featherweight Brands Ilia Topuria ‘Better’ Than Max Holloway, Touts Spaniard As Closest To Jon Jones In P4P Debate

One of the most anticipated fights of the year is sure to be what many expect as the next UFC featherweight title fixture. For many years, Max Holloway has been considered to be the second-best 145-pound fighter on the planet as he wasn’t able to solve the problem that is Alexander Volkanovski. With new champion […]

Continue Reading UFC Featherweight Brands Ilia Topuria ‘Better’ Than Max Holloway, Touts Spaniard As Closest To Jon Jones In P4P Debate at MMA News.

One of the most anticipated fights of the year is sure to be what many expect as the next UFC featherweight title fixture.

For many years, Max Holloway has been considered to be the second-best 145-pound fighter on the planet as he wasn’t able to solve the problem that is Alexander Volkanovski.

With new champion Ilia Topuria steamrolling his way up the featherweight ladder and taking Volkanovski out in February, his first title defense against “Blessed” is one of the best match-ups in MMA today.

A current featherweight contender believes that in giving Topuria the edge in this fight, he isn’t just better than Holloway, he’s one of the top two in the world today.

Nathaniel Wood Says Ilia Topuria Is In The Pound-For-Pound Conversation On Skill Alone

In a recent interview with InsideFighting, London’s Nathaniel Wood spoke about the title fight that is set to go down in his division.

“The Prospect” is set to return at UFC 304 where he takes on Daniel Pineda after going 3-1 since making the move up from bantamweight.

He believes that whilst Holloway may have the best chance of anyone else in the mix, “El Matador” is the more skilled fighter overall.

“See, I see Ilia Topuria as one of the pound-for-pound best at the moment. I think he’s better than Max but I feel like Max could cause him problems with his style and Max is obviously as tough as they come. I do think out of that top 10, if anyone was to beat Topuria, I’d put it on Max Holloway.”

Elaborating on his high praise for Topuria, Wood put this in context regarding the debate at the top of the pound-for-pound ladder.

He believes that whilst the current featherweight champion doesn’t have the accolades just yet, his talent and performances prove that he belongs just below the greatest of all time, Jon Jones.

“Gotta be Jon Jones, I don’t see how anyone can ever go against him, obviously if you’re going off of the CV. Now, Ilia Topuria, I think pound-for-pound one of the best just the way he moves. I think if you look at him on the CV, okay he’s obviously just become the champion. Okay, how can you say he’s the pound-for-pound but you just know when someone’s special and me personally, I think he is.

“I’ve said before I think he’d be the hardest fight for me in the division when he wasn’t even ranked I think in the top 10, because you can just see when someone’s got that something. Obviously, Alex Pereira, he’s just that knockout machine, you know what I mean but skill set wise, I think Topuria’s a better fighter, better athlete all round.”

Read also: Paddy Pimblett: ‘Fickle’ MMA Fans Will Be Back On My Side After I Knock Bobby Green Out At UFC 304

Continue Reading UFC Featherweight Brands Ilia Topuria ‘Better’ Than Max Holloway, Touts Spaniard As Closest To Jon Jones In P4P Debate at MMA News.

Report: UFC Expected To Choose O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili For Sphere Main Event Over Topuria vs. Holloway

Should current plans come to fruition, the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere-held Noche UFC event this fall. The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independance Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in much different surroundings this time […]

Continue Reading Report: UFC Expected To Choose O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili For Sphere Main Event Over Topuria vs. Holloway at MMA News.

Should current plans come to fruition, the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere-held Noche UFC event this fall.

The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independance Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in much different surroundings this time around.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena for the second straight year, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC is set to go down inside the unique Sphere venue. In the lead-up, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a spectacle like nothing seen before.

That hype initially left many predicting a stacked lineup to mark the occasion, but it seems those wishing for two blockbuster championship fights at the top of the lineup won’t be getting their wish granted…

Helwani Dismisses Talk Of Both O’Malley & Topuria Defending Titles At The Sphere

While Alexa Grasso’s second defense of the flyweight title has long been expected high up the card, there’s been considerable uncertainty when it comes to the other major matchups.

Most notably, champions Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria have gone back and forth with their respective expected next challengers, Merab Dvalishvili and Max Holloway, over potential Sphere battles.

Talk of both bouts taking place on September 14 picked up following comments on the official French-Canadian broadcast of this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver.

Unfortunately, it appears that one of those pairings won’t feature at the Sphere.

During a recent episode of his show, The MMA Hour, host Helwani provided an update on the UFC’s fall plans and addressed the rumors floating around regarding the Sphere-held pay-per-view.

“The plan was always the Grasso title defense…and then the plan has for some time been ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley vs. Merab,” Helwani said. “Now, both fights aren’t official just yet. They haven’t been signed. But that has been the plan.

“If they did go with that fight, then the other plan would be Ilia vs. Max most likely on the October 5 Utah card (UFC 307), which hasn’t been officially announced yet. Also on that card, we suspect, Julianna Peña vs. Raquel Pennington,” Helwani continued. “Can’t imagine they would put a Spaniard on a Noche UFC card.”

This week also saw White provide additional details on the event, revealing that the plan is for just 10 fights to take place during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

He also claimed the cost has already exceeded $17 million, supporting Helwani’s mention of finances as the reason why neither the possibility of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler nor a three title fight card were entertained.

Continue Reading Report: UFC Expected To Choose O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili For Sphere Main Event Over Topuria vs. Holloway at MMA News.