Max Holloway is moving up to 170 pounds this weekend, and he might not stop there.
On Saturday, Holloway takes on Conor McGregor in a welterweight main event at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The fight is a rematch of their 2013 fight, but instead of being contested at 145 pounds, the two are moving up two weight classes to run things back. And UFC commentator Jon Anik believes that move up could benefit Holloway, who already had designs on even larger moves. Literally.
“Max Holloway said to me probably 8 or 9 years ago that he was going to take a UFC fight at middleweight before all was said and done,” Anik told Submission Radio. “So I’m fascinated to see how his frame looks on the scale and what he looks like as a UFC welterweight. He could easily pivot back to 155 pounds, but in this matchup, I think it’s not crazy that it stands to reason to benefit Holloway a whole bunch.
“McGregor has the history at welterweight in the UFC. Even though I think we can all agree Conor McGregor’s best weight class is 155 pounds, as could be Holloway’s. But dude, Max’s a big boy. Big, powerful hands, and I think his movement and his speed and his footwork will all still be there.
“So, raise your hand if you’re excited to see Holloway at 170. Yes, count me among them. And hey, I wouldn’t put it past him to fight at 185 before it’s all said and done.”
Though both men started their careers at featherweight, Holloway and McGregor have gone on different paths since their first encounter. McGregor moved up to lightweight after winning the featherweight title, becoming the first simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history. Holloway, in contrast, had an eve more accomplished featherweight run than McGregor, but has thus far failed to secure the lightweight title, and has never competed at 170 pounds.
But if Holloway can get an impressive win over McGregor this Saturday, Anik believes that could open up some huge opportunities for “Blessed.”
“I think the question beckons, how does Holloway get through this, win or lose, and then what does he want to do from there?” Anik said. “Because if Holloway and Islam Makhachev are in a staredown, there’s not some crazy size discrepancy, and that’s your welterweight champion. So, big things ahead for these two athletes.”
TOP STORIES
Apology. Dustin Poirier issues apologies for behavior during airport scene, says he hasn’t seen arrest video.
Point Down. Max Holloway gives his opinion on whether Conor McGregor would meet him in the middle for a ‘point down’ slugfest.
Masterpiece. Conor McGregor teases ‘masterpiece’ against Max Holloway at UFC 329: ‘I’m in my prime here now.’
Ducking. Dricus du Plessis accuses Kamaru Usman of avoiding UFC Oklahoma City fight: ‘He didn’t want to sign the contract.’
Illegal. Dana White responds to Alex Pereira complaining about Herb Dean and illegal shots in his loss to Ciryl Gane.
Comeback. Demian Maia cites GSP, Diaz brothers as ideal opponents for grappling match, leaves door open for final MMA fight.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
UFC 329 Embedded, ep. 1.
Every Conor McGregor KO.
Kamaru Usman fight camp.
Cooking with Volk.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Fighter vs. Writer.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Shorts.
LOL.
Fight week.
Aggressive.
Lol.
Shavkat keeps training.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dione Barbosa (9-4) vs. Anna Melisano (6-1); UFC Oklahoma, July 18.
FEED ME MORE
Nate.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Max really is trying to chase down Daniel Cormier for their once joked about fight.
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKLee of @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and like us on Facebook.
Read the full article here
