Morning Report: Max Holloway labels Conor McGregor rematch as ‘hugest fight’ after BMF title win

Max Holloway has choices.

It’s extremely uncommon to see somebody win as epically and place themselves the best way Hawaii’s most interesting did at UFC 300 this previous weekend. Now the most recent fighter to carry the BMF title, Holloway can primarily determine his future inside the UFC.

Holloway went toe-to-toe with one of many light-weight division’s prime contenders in Justin Gaethje to seize the title. After an excellent five-round efficiency that noticed him clearly up on the scorecards, “Blessed” threw down within the closing 10 seconds to place “The Spotlight” away with a single second left on the clock. As a former featherweight champion, Holloway is fascinated about recapturing that crown. There are such a lot of thrilling prospects at light-weight, although. Whether or not that’s defending his BMF title or difficult for undisputed gold.

Nevertheless, the most important is perhaps in opposition to the final man to defeat Holloway at 145 kilos who isn’t named Alexander Volkanovski.

“It could be onerous to not say with him lastly getting introduced that he’s truly combating, Conor [McGregor] 2,” Holloway informed KHON’s Rob DeMello upon his return to Hawaii. “That’s the hugest battle, I feel.

“Legacy, ideal-wise, attempting to get again to an undisputed title. Gotta go along with [Ilia] Topuria, you understand. He beat the person that I couldn’t assist however work out. We’ll see. We’re having a little bit bible verse beef on prime of Twitter proper now, so you understand, life’s good. It’s wanting prefer it’s gonna be him subsequent, however first issues first, Justin Gaethje kicked like a horse, man. I can really feel it at the moment. We’re gonna get better.”

In 2024, a big proportion of MMA followers may not even know that Holloway and McGregor have fought earlier than. The battle passed off in 2013 at featherweight and noticed the Irishman greatest his fellow future UFC champion by way of a unanimous determination earlier than he went on hiatus due to a torn ACL. Since then, Holloway is 18-3 within the division (21-6 at featherweight, 26-7 total).

Holloway, 32, isn’t seeking to rush again to the octagon regardless of the format earlier than him. Unsurprisingly, these kicks took their toll on the BMF king, as UFC CEO Dana White talked about after the battle that the swelling was shockingly unhealthy. Holloway added that he’ll be celebrating his anniversary together with his spouse and is happy to see his son, Rush, who “may need been extra excited than I used to be” concerning the win.

A battle with Topuria is pretty much as good of a matchup that may be made within the wake of UFC 300. Each males need it and it is smart on all fronts. Relating to the burgeoning famous person champion Topuria, “El Matador’s” dream of headlining the primary UFC occasion in Spain is a constant speaking level. It’s unlikely that it’ll occur this 12 months, however issues are nonetheless trending in that route, particularly if he maintains his championship standing.

Hawaii, alternatively, is a unique story. The UFC has by no means held an occasion within the state and now could be pretty much as good of a time as ever with somebody of Holloway’s star energy. Finally, the powers that be have reiterated the way it isn’t possible and Holloway additionally understands that.

“I heard them speaking about possibly having a Hawaii present down right here,” Holloway mentioned. “I understand how it’s. I do know what it’s, how a lot cash it might price, and to be trustworthy, I’ve sort of come to the acceptance that I may not be capable to come right here. So, subsequent neatest thing is the ninth island. With the infrastructure, we don’t have one [arena] sufficiently big. That’s simply it.

“Lots of people, quite a lot of Hawaii individuals we do that and that. I’m like, guys, if you wish to spend cash, like UFC 300 cash to go watch me within the stands, be my visitor. However I don’t wish to try this to my individuals. If we come house, I would like it to be large, be big.”

In his UFC 300 post-fight scrum, Holloway countered the Hawaii speak with one thing like Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The “ninth island” has handled Holloway nicely previously and he thinks it is his greatest location going ahead. That doesn’t imply he wouldn’t prefer to nonetheless see one thing occur on house soil.

“We received a bunch of different UFC fighters on the roster,” Holloway mentioned. “Brad [Tavares], Dan [Ige], possibly considered one of them can have a battle evening right here. Headline it, and I can right here and simply chillin’ and benefit from the present. If worst involves worst, they wish to make the most of the Hawaii guys, we gotta return to Vegas, man. That felt like a — you noticed the flags in there at this final one. It felt like a Hawaii battle. A variety of flags. Lots of people, quite a lot of Hawaiians in there, so it was wonderful.”

Shakeup. MMA Divisional Rankings: UFC 300 fully reshapes the worldwide ranks

Rivalry. Arman Tsarukyan explains why he passed on UFC 302 title battle with Islam Makhachev

Comeback. Alan Jouban argues ‘it’s not over’ for Justin Gaethje’s title hopes regardless of brutal UFC 300 loss

Contemplation. Aljamain Sterling thought-about retirement if he misplaced at UFC 300: ‘I was probably done’

Beef. Ian Machado Garry requires UFC 303 co-main occasion vs. ‘p****’ Colby Covington, says ‘I’ll retire him for good’

Between the Hyperlinks.

Nate Diaz New York scrum.

Diaz vs. Masvidal 2 New York Pre-Combat Press Convention.

Haney-Garcia staredown.

Sound & Pound.

Free battle.

PFL Combat Week.

Sterling BTS.

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover considered one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at present actually into. I’ll decide the perfect one alongside my each day selection and provide you with a shoutout! You too can share within the feedback under — these are simply more durable to sift by way of generally!

Dang.

Machine.

Response.

Jiri.

Epic.

Hawaiian delight.

Very shy.

Proper there.

Lol.

Good firm.

The place does the time go?

Carlos Diego Ferreira (18-5) vs. Mateusz Rębecki (18-1); UFC St. Louis, Might 11

Oumar Sy (9-0) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (12-2); UFC Vegas 92, Might 18

Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) vs. Dalton Rosta (9-1); Bellator Dublin, June 22

A few of you is perhaps questioning concerning the ballot and why I didn’t do “winner” or “loser” choices for the fighters at present booked. That’s as a result of realistically with Max’s present place, it doesn’t actually matter concerning the outcomes for any of them to make sense, proper? That’s the ability of the BMF title… Sure, I additionally may need snuck that final one in there for the lulz. Poor Belal. BLESSED MAN FOREVER!

Thanks for studying!

In case you discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him find out about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.