Holloway reveals why he agreed to fight Khabib at UFC 223. Photo: Twitter @ufc
Featherweight champion after knockout José Aldo on two occasions, in 2017, Max Holloway seemed comfortable in the 65,7 kg division, but the Hawaiian accepted a challenge that seems crazy. With no time to prepare, he moved up to the lightweight category (up to 70,3 kg) to face the Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov for the vacant lightweight belt next Saturday (07), in the main fight of UFC 223. Despite the very complicated challenge, the 'Blessed' was very excited for the duel against the Russian.
See too
“The news was crazy. My manager called me and said 'Tony was injured and they want you against Khabib'. How do you reject an opportunity like that? Opportunities like this only come once in a lifetime, only one guy managed to do it. I'm happy to be the second guy, and let's make history. I'm here to fight, I'm not the matchmaker (responsible for matching fights). I have business to take care of at featherweight, but I said, when the UFC calls, I'm just a call away. They called the right guy. I'm here, and with six days' notice, April 7th, it's going to be a big night,” Holloway told Hawaii's “KHON2” TV channel, on his way to board a flight to New York.
Holloway revealed the reasons why he agreed to move up in weight and face Nurmagomedov. For the Hawaiian, a triumph against the Russian could elevate him to the level of legend.
“I want to be the best. I want when people talk about me after I stop, they say this guy is a legend, and he took on anyone, anytime, anywhere. I can't wait, I'm so excited. I can barely contain my excitement. I’m focused, it’s a big fight and being in the spotlight is fun,” he added.
UFC 223 takes place next Saturday, April 7, in New York, and, in addition to the fight for the lightweight belt between Khabib Nurmagomedov e Max Holloway, the show features another title fight. The Straw Champion Rose namajunas defends his reign against the former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Brazil will be represented at the show by Brasiliense Renato Moicano who stares Calvin kattar on the main card of the show. Check out the full event card below.
UFC 223 fight schedule
main card
Max Holloway x Khabib Nurmagomedov – fight for the lightweight belt
Rose namajunas x Joanna Jedrzejczyk – fight for the women’s strawweight belt
Renato Moicano x Calvin kattar
Michael chiesa x Anthony Pettis
Preliminary Card
Karolina Kowalkiewicz x Felice herrig
Ray Borg x Brandon Moreno
Joe lauzon x Chris Gruetzemacher
Evan dunham x Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Alex Caceres x Artem Lobov
Bec Rawlings x Ashlee Evans-Smith
Devin Clark x Mike Rodriguez
Zabit Magomedsharipov x Kyle Bochniak
You need login To comment.