Khabib and Holloway exchange provocations and the atmosphere heats up before UFC 223

Khabib and Holloway exchanged provocations before UFC 213. Photo: Reproduction / YouTube @ufc

Called up with six days left until UFC 223, Max Holloway arrived at the event making noise. The featherweight champion, who faces Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt in the main fight of the show, he was not intimidated by his rival's provocations and promises to make history.

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During the press conference before the show, held this Wednesday (04), Khabib tried to belittle Holloway and stated that the Hawaiian accepted the fight at short notice just for the money, forgetting his legacy. However, the featherweight champion did not let it go and responded to his rival in style. The atmosphere among the athletes became heated. Check out part of the dialogue:

PUBLICITY:

Khabib: Do you believe you can beat me?

Holloway: Yes why not? I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe.

PUBLICITY:

Khabib: You will make good money. There is a big difference between fighting for money and fighting for legacy. He fights for money. Me for the legacy.

Holloway: I would make good money waiting to defend my belt too. I'm fighting for my legacy! I know I'm ready. Do you think you are ready?

PUBLICITY:

Khabib: I was born ready, brother! I just finished my ninth week of prep.

Holloway: Then there won't be any excuses!

Despite the hot climate and harsh responses during the fight, the fighters maintained a friendly tone of voice. Hollloway even downplayed the preparation time to just six days. The Hawaiian also stated that the short term will also be difficult for his rival, who will have little time to adapt his game against him.

PUBLICITY:

“Everyone keeps talking about six days. If it's a short time, it's a short time for a fight against me. How are you going to prepare to face me in six weeks, Khabib? This is the question that must be asked. He’s never faced someone like me and he’ll realize that on Saturday night,” said Holloway.

UFC 223

The main fight of UFC 223 would initially be a dispute between Tony Ferguson e Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt. But the American was injured during an interview and left the contest last Sunday, with just six days to go before the contest. The event acted quickly and called up the featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) Max Holloway to face Nurmagomedov for the organization's lightweight belt. The show, which takes place next Saturday (07), in New York (USA), will have 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. Check out the full event card below.