Max Holloway – Syndication Server

Video: Should Max Holloway go back to 145 or stay at 155 after BMF title win?

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique”, the panel reacts to Max Holloway’s insane KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel reacts to [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]’s insane KO win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Holloway arguably made the biggest statement on Saturday night, as the former UFC featherweight champion moved up a weight class and knocked out Gaethje in brutal fashion, with one second remaining in the fight, to win the BMF title. It was a massive victory for the Hawaiian and one that opens up many possibilities.

So, should Holloway drop back down to featherweight and look to challenge champion Ilia Topiria? Or should he stay at lightweight and chase his second division title?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Mike Bohn, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discuss Holloway’s big win and where he should go next.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/DfQNA0RgoK8

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Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: UFC 300 review, Holloway wins BMF title, Makhachev & McGregor return, more

On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel discusses the fallout of UFC 300 including, Holloway’s BMF win, McGregor’s return, and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate everything around UFC 300:

The UFC reached its 300th pay-per-view event, a big milestone for the Las Vegas-based promotion. Where does this massive event rank in UFC history? On paper, it was a great card, and it delivered as promised.
[autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] arguably made the biggest statement on Saturday night. The former UFC featherweight champion knocked out [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] in brutal fashion with one second remaining in the fight for the BMF title. So what’s next for Holloway? Should he stay at 155 pounds or go back to 145? Holloway has many options after this career-defining win.
On top of Holloway’s win, there were several other important lightweight bouts, as well as other lightweight bookings announced: [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] defeated former champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] stopped Jalin Turner and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] picked apart Jim Miller. Additionally, the [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] title defense vs. [autotag]Dutin Poirier[/autotag] was made official, along with the return of [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag], who faces lightweight standout [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] in a welterweight bout. Big news and results that heavily impact the UFC lightweight division.
In the main event of UFC 300, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] successfully defended his light heavyweight belt for the very first time, knocking out [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]. It was a huge win for the Brazilian, who requested a heavyweight fight in a quick turnaround at UFC 301 in Brazil next month.
In the other undisputed title fight, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] defended her UFC strawweight belt against fellow Chinese fighter [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]. It was a solid showing by Weili, who logged the second title defense of her second championship reign.
[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] made a huge splash on Saturday night. In a dominant showing, she submitted former champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag], a victory that even caught the attention of former two-division UFC champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]. What’s next for Harrison? Is she a future UFC champion? We unpack it all.
Lastly, several other big storylines went down at UFC 300. The panel quickly reviews [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s featherweight debut, [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s submission win, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]’ most recent first-round finish and more.

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UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Headliner Jamahal Hill works on a slick 1/1 piece of memorabilia

In the fourth episode of UFC 300 “Embedded,” Jamahal Hill gets autographs from the fighters on the card – including his champ opponent.

One of the most highly anticipated fight weeks in UFC history is here with UFC 300, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) puts that belt on the line for the first time against former champ [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who vacated the title six months after he won it due to injury.

In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC). The bout is the first all-China title fight in UFC history.

The “BMF” belt is on the line between current titleholder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and former longtime featherweight champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC), who is moving up to lightweight for the bout.

Plus, UFC 300 features the promotional debut of two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) against former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) and five other former UFC champions on arguably the most stacked card in company history.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Bobby Green, Charles Oliveira, Xiaonan Yan and Jamahal Hill carve out time to train. Holly Holm goes coffee hunting. Fighter check in at UFC Apex, and headliner Hill gets autographs – including one from foe Alex Pereira.

Also watch:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Dana White before UFC 300: Max Holloway ‘probably the greatest featherweight of all time’

For Dana White, the best is “Blessed.”

For UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag], the best is “Blessed.”

White praised [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) ahead of his BMF lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Holloway is a former featherweight champion who defended his belt three times against Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, and Frankie Edgar. He also holds notable wins over the likes of current top contenders Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez, and Arnold Allen.

“Max Holloway, always a big fan favorite,” White said on ESPN’s “First Take.” “Probably the greatest featherweight of all time going up against Gaethje, who is a human highlight reel.”

Many expected both Gaethje and Holloway to fight for the title in their respective divisions, but White justifies the reason behind the matchmaking.

“The idea of the BMF was built right here in this room,” White said from the UFC’s war room in Las Vegas. “There’s always these fights that the fans love, whether it’s a Masvidal vs. Diaz, you know, those types of fights, Gaethje and Max Holloway.

“We were sitting in here one day and thought about building this BMF title and who’s better fit for this thing than Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway? We thought about it in here. I told the guys, ‘Tell me if you think I’m crazy, but what do you think of this idea?’ They loved it, the fans love it, and here we go.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Mark Coleman: Presenting BMF title at UFC 300 would be ‘icing on the cake’ following event invitation

Mark Coleman doesn’t expect to wraps the BMF title around the Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway winner at UFC 300, but would happily do it.

[autotag]Mark Coleman[/autotag] doesn’t think it’s essential he wraps the BMF title around the [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] winner at UFC 300, but would happily do it if asked.

Gaethje (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) and Holloway (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) both told MMA Junkie recently that they are all for the idea of Coleman presenting the BMF belt to the winner of Saturday’s featured bout at T-Mobile Arena (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). It was an idea first shared by Holloway, who said Coleman is the “real life BMF” after saving his parents from a near-fatal house fire this past month in Ohio.

Coleman revealed shortly after Holloway’s comments that he and his daughters were already invited to the event prior, but he was honored to hear both men share such definitive comments about continuing the tradition of someone special giving out the belt.

“No, they planned on bringing me and my daughters in (already), which that was Dana White stepped right up,” Coleman told MMA Junkie in his first interview since the fire. “But then a couple days later, I see Max Holloway, who I’m a super fan of this sport, and I got respect for all these guys, but I’ve rode on the bus a couple times with Max and his little boy. I just love that guy.

“This BMF belt, it’s gaining a lot of steam with this fight right here, because you talk about two Bad Mother Freakers – Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway, they optimize BMFs. When I see them do that it just brought a tear to my eye. Just grateful. Can’t believe. Just can’t believe. Then Gaethje came out and said the same thing.”

Coleman, a UFC Hall of Famer, said he’s had no correspondence from the UFC brass about whether he will be brought into the cage at the conclusion of Gaethje vs. Holloway. He would happily do it, but will not get on the plane to travel to “Sin City” with any expectations that will happen.

“I don’t think I’m going to do it,” Coleman said. “I don’t think they’re going to ask me to do it, which I don’t expect them too. But they are bringing me in. They are treating me very well. I love UFC. I am a company man. It’s the greatest sport in the world.

“They probably already have plans and you can’t be messing up plans. It’d be just unbelievable. I can’t imagine. Just being there with some nice cageside seats with my daughter. I’m stoked. If I end up putting the belt on them or whatever else, that’s just icing on the cake. I’m just happy to be there because this is the biggest, baddest, greatest card ever put together and I’m excited about the very first prelim.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: ‘Just win, baby’

In the third installment of UFC 300 “Embedded,” Max Holloway gets a VIP tour of the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium.

One of the most highly anticipated fight weeks in UFC history is here with UFC 300, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Alex Pereira teaches Nina Drama footwork. Diego Lopes shops from the shoes up. Calvin Kattar stays sharp. Max Holloway tours a Vegas landmark. Kayla Harrison, Bo Nickal and champ Zhang Weili get in PI time. Justin Gaethje appreciates his team.

Also watch:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Max Holloway fires back at Islam Makhachev for calling UFC 300 fight vs. Justin Gaethje useless

The way Max Holloway sees it, UFC champ Islam Makhachev should’ve fought in February when he had the chance.

[autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] has clapped back at UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] for criticizing his fight with Justin Gaethje.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) told MMA Junkie that he thinks the BMF title fight between Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and Holloway (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 300 is useless since it leaves him without an opponent for his next title defense. But Holloway points the finger at Makhachev, who hasn’t competed since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski last October at UFC 294. He finds it laughable that Volkanovski has competed since then but not Makhachev.

“I saw Islam talk about, ‘Oh, this fight makes no sense and blah, blah, blah.’ I’m like, ‘Brother, you should’ve fought Justin in February,'” Holloway said on the “MIGHTYcast” with Demetrious Johnson. “Why did the guy you knocked out turn around so fast and fight in February when you were healthy? You should’ve turned around and came (back in) February. Everybody knows you can’t fight in Ramadan, and that’s why they couldn’t do the fight on 300 with Leon (Edwards) or he couldn’t get another fight, but he’s complaining like, ‘I can’t get fights.’ I’m like, it’s because you’re only fighting around the times that you want to fight. It’s not that you can’t get fights. You’re just not taking the fights that are offered because of certain things going on.

“If he really wanted to fight, I thought he would’ve turned around and fought in February. It made no sense to make the guy who just got a brutal knockout to turn around and fight in February.”

Makhachev, who is Muslim, has made it clear that he won’t compete during Ramadan, which saw it’s final day Tuesday. Instead, he’s targeting a return in June against Dustin Poirier, the only current available top lightweight contender.

On Saturday’s main card, Gaethje takes on Holloway, whereas Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan battle in an expected No. 1 contender bout.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: Kayla Harrison arrives in Las Vegas, finds peace and quiet

On the second episode of UFC 300 “Embedded,” Kayla Harrison is in a calm state before a hectic fight week gets started.

One of the most highly anticipated fight weeks in UFC history is here with UFC 300, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The second episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill and more take in UFC Fight Night. Champion Alex Pereira gets a sendoff from his team. Diego Lopes, Justin Gaethje and Kayla Harrison explore Las Vegas. Bo Nickal wraps up camp in PA, while Max Holloway hits the PI.

Also watch:

UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 1: Star-studded and historic fight week underway in Las Vegas

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Why Alexander Volkanovski gives Max Holloway a ‘massive chance’ to beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 300

Alexander Volkanovski had a hard time picking between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway but eventually settled on a winner at UFC 300.

[autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] had a hard time picking between [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] and [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag], but he eventually settled on a winner.

Holloway (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) will be a slight underdog when he challenges BMF champion Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in a lightweight bout Saturday at UFC 300 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Volkanovski initially picked Gaethje, but he’s seen a change in fellow former featherweight champ Holloway’s approach after competing against him three times.

“The way some people were talking, I thought maybe they were going to have – you can’t have bad odds on Max Holloway,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “A lot of people are sitting there like, ‘Justin Gaethje, rah, rah, rah.’ Did we forget Max Holloway’s chin? Have we seen him in his last fights? The guy knows how to mix it up. He used to be more hittable back in the day.

“He was always very, very high level, really good at setting up traps but willing to be in front of you and eat some while he’s doing so. Now he’s got a lot more angles. He uses so many more tools. Man, this is going to be an exciting fight. I just don’t think people are expecting Max to come forward and do how he used to be, and Gaethje to just throw some massive bombs. Like them big leg kicks being there. You’re probably going to see muay Thai Max again.”

Volkanovski doesn’t understand why Holloway is being counted out. The former featherweight champion has never been knocked out – even when he went five rounds with Dustin Poirier in their interim lightweight title fight at UFC 236.

“Max is the underdog here, and I think a lot of people are counting him out, and I don’t know why,” Volkanovski said. “I think it’s purely because he’s moving up against a powerful dude like Justin Gaethje, which is fair enough. We can’t forget Max Holloway’s chin. I think it’s just an undefeated chin. It really is (laughs). I’ve tried cracking it. Many people have tried cracking it, and thinking is Justin Gaethje going to be the guy to finish it, I don’t know. It’s hard for me. I’ve said that a few times, and it just doesn’t happen. We’ve seen him be cracked. A couple of Max Holloway’s last fights, he didn’t get hit as much, but he still got cracked with some big shots, ate them like a champ.

“Gaethje’s been five rounds, and we’ve seen him do well in the later rounds. He can go five rounds, but the pace that Max Holloway’s still going to bring, because he’s still going to be there to be hit. Max Holloway will still be there to be hit or to make it a fight. We know Gaethje likes to throw bombs. Can he zap a bit of the life out of Gaethje? I think so. You know Max ain’t going to tire. Five rounder. Look, man, I have to lean towards Gaethje, but man, I thought the odds were going to be worse. The way people are talking, acting like Max doesn’t stand a chance, you’re wrong. He has a massive chance in this.”

Volkanovski decided to settle on Holloway for his final prediction.

“I’m going to say, for my pick, will be Max Holloway,” Volkanovski concluded.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Video: How UFC 300 affects the lightweight title picture – Gaethje vs. Holloway, Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan, more

On this week’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses the UFC 300 lightweight action and how it affects the division’s title picture.

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses and breaks down all the lightweight bouts featured at UFC 300.

This Saturday, the historic UFC pay-per-view features many prominent 155-pound matchups that could vastly change the title picture in the division. This includes the BMF title defense, as belt holder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] welcomes back [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] to the division,[autotag] Charles Oliveira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] – which has been labeled as a No. 1 contender bout.

In addition, a pair of bouts featuring veterans [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag], and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] also take place.

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Mike Bohn, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discussed all the lightweight action that will be on display at UFC 300.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/fSjkR02NKpM

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.