Holloway explained provocations to Aldo (Photo: Inovafoto)
The new UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway, said he felt the moment when the duel with José Aldo, which took place at UFC 212, on June 3, was in his favor. After losing the first round, the Hawaiian started to provoke the Brazilian and said that, after the former belt owner didn't react to the provocations, he felt that the fight was almost won.
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Holloway explained that he felt Aldo's quick counterattacks in the opening round, but that he began to not react as quickly in the second round. When the Hawaiian provoked him, the Brazilian didn't respond and, according to the new champion, that was when he felt more confident that he would win the duel.
“Whenever I put my hand forward, he reacted and counterattacked, always very quickly. Whenever I did that in the first rounds, he reacted when I feinted and he counterattacked very quickly. But after a while, I felt he stopped doing that and I thought it was time to tease him, to see how he reacted. And he didn't do anything. I tried another provocation and he again didn't react. So, I thought: “Wow, this guy doesn’t want to fight,” said Holloway, in an interview with the North American program “The MMA Hour”.
The Hawaiian once again praised his last opponent, but said he was confident in his game plan and “knew” he would beat Aldo.
“These guys are here playing checkers and I’m a chess player. By the time they realize this, it is too late. I already knew our game plan was going to work. There are many images of Aldo. He is one of the greatest of all time, but it is time for a new era. We young people are coming and proving it. MMA is always evolving. Either you evolve along with it, or you are left behind. I’m trying to lead this evolution, I’m running ahead of everyone,” he commented.
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