There is no denying that UFC 326 is one of the most highly anticipated events in the mixed martial arts world. Fans and experts alike are buzzing with excitement, eagerly waiting to see some of the biggest names in the sport go head to head. One such name is Max Holloway, the former featherweight champion who is set to face off against Alexander Volkanovski in the co-main event of UFC 326.
However, there has been a lot of speculation among the UFC community about what Holloway’s next move would be if he were to win against Volkanovski. Would he aim for a rematch against the current featherweight champion, or would he set his sights on the lightweight title? Many believed that a win at UFC 326 would propel Holloway to challenge for the lightweight belt. But the man himself has cleared the air and revealed his true intentions.
In a recent interview, Holloway made it clear that he has no interest in chasing the lightweight title. He stated, “A lot of people from the UFC community may think that with a win at UFC 326, I would immediately want to go after the lightweight title. But that’s not the case. I have my eyes set on a different goal.”
So, what exactly is this “different goal” that Holloway is referring to? As it turns out, it has nothing to do with the UFC lightweight title. It has everything to do with avenging his previous losses and proving himself as the best fighter in the featherweight division.
Holloway has suffered two losses at the hands of the current featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. The first loss came in a controversial decision at UFC 245, where many believed that Holloway had done enough to retain his title. The second loss was a more decisive defeat at UFC 251, where Volkanovski put on a dominant performance to claim the featherweight belt.
But Holloway is not one to dwell on the past. He believes that he has what it takes to defeat Volkanovski and reclaim his throne as the featherweight champion. In fact, he is already campaigning for a rematch with the current titleholder.
However, before he can think about a rematch, Holloway has his eyes set on another fight – a potential clash with Conor McGregor. Yes, you read that right. Holloway is looking for a showdown with the notorious Irishman, and he has his reasons.
Firstly, he wants to settle the score with McGregor, who defeated him in their first encounter at UFC Fight Night 26. Holloway believes that he has grown as a fighter since then and wants to prove to the world that he is a different man now.
Secondly, Holloway sees this fight as an opportunity to silence all the doubters and prove that he is the best featherweight fighter in the world. He stated, “A lot of people say that McGregor is the greatest featherweight of all time. But I believe that I am the greatest featherweight of all time, and I want to prove that by beating him.”
However, before fans can get too excited, it should be noted that there are still many hurdles to overcome before this fight becomes a reality. McGregor is currently focused on his upcoming trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and has not shown any interest in fighting Holloway.
Moreover, there are also reports of a potential title unification fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at UFC 326, which would mean that Holloway would have to wait for his chance at the featherweight title. But he is not deterred by this. In fact, he sees it as an opportunity to sharpen his skills and prepare for a potential fight with McGregor.
Holloway is known for his positive attitude, and he is maintaining that same mindset with regards to his future plans. When asked about the unification fight between Topuria and Gaethje, he said, “I’m happy for them. I’m not in a rush. I’m here to fight the best in the world, and they will be waiting for me at the top.”
In conclusion, while many believed that a win at UFC 326 would propel Max Holloway to challenge for the UFC lightweight title, the man himself has cleared the air and revealed his true intentions. Instead of chasing the lightweight belt, Holloway wants to avenge his losses and prove himself as the best featherweight fighter in the world. And
