Max “blessed” Holloway sits at the top the UFC featherweight tree with a mixed martial arts record of 20 wins, 10 by knockout and 3 defeats.
His recent victory over a very worthy challenger Brian Ortega, was his 13th straight victory. Which is also the longest active win streak in the UFC.
There are many exceptional fighters currently in the UFC. With loads of opinions on the pound for pound list and where each fighter should sit. My opinion is, there is no more worthy fighter than Holloway to be challenging for that no1 spot.
Naturally, other fighters for that mantel would be Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion, who has an almost unheard of mma record of 27-0 and is coming of a dominant 4th round victory over Conor McGregor.
Also, the current heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier who recently dethroned Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title and defended it against Derrick Lewis.
However, both fighters have some questions marks over their reigns in my opinion. Cormier’s is due to the two defeats to Jon Jones, who is widely regarded as the light heavyweight king.
That’s despite Jones’ recent issues with testing positive for a banned substance which puts a cloud over his performances, although he denied using drugs.
Khabib on the other hand. Although he has done a lot recently to quell these issues, had loads of problems with making weight and making fights. Due to this, in the last four years since January 2014, he’s had only six fights.
In that same time, just to put it into perspective, Max Holloway has fought 13 times and Daniel Cormier 11 times.
For me, these three fighters are the only ones for the P4P no1 spot and Max has a huge say in that. Just looking at his record. It’s a whose, who in top class fighters.
From the two third round stoppage victories over Jose Aldo. The recent and very impressive win over Brian Ortega. Previous wins over Anthony Pettis, Ricardo Lamas. Jeremy Stephens, Charles Oliveira and Cub Swanson.
Not many boast a record like that, not to mention, nobody boasting a 13 fight winning steak in the UFC.
Cormier to his credit, since his first defeat to Jon Jones, does have the likes of Anderson Silva, two wins over Anthony Johnson, Alexander Gustaffson, Volkan Oezdemir, Miocic and Lewis at heavyweight on his record.
However, where as Cormier has those Jones fights as an irritation on his record. Khabib has his inactivity, Max’ last defeat was way back in 2013, he was still an emerging fighter with a UFC record of 3 wins and 2 defeats.
He was thrown in to face McGregor, who was in his second fight in the UFC, but coming off a knockout of the night in his UFC debut. At that time Conor had not been taken the distance in his 15 fight mixed martial arts career. McGregor won a unanimous points decision and I’m sure Max would love to get that back.
That would be a fight I would love to see. Holloway’s smoothness and calm demeanour in the octagon is a reflection of his growing confidence.
He is often smiling, talking to his opponents and sometimes even the commentary team, predicting rounds he would win in.
Essentially a stand up fighter. He seems to have deceiving power and impressive cardio, which showed in his fights against Aldo. They way he disfigured Ortega’s face with his punch accuracy was also impressive.
Hardly ever wastes punches, he seems almost cerebral in his attacks. But Max also has two submission victories in his streak, so can finish a fight on the ground if necessary.
I think when we are looking at all three fighters. Although Cormier has had some real success standing up recently, we know he is a superb wrestler, just like Khabib and that’s where they like to take the fight.
Max on the other hand, likes the risk of standing, likes and almost demands a toe to toe battle where he really fancies his chances putting it on the line against any fighter.
That’s something I have really been impressed with. Although it would seem very high risk. It’s the way he has won fights. He last four has essentially been wars, where he has come out a huge victor.
Don’t get me wrong, Khabib is an absolute beast and makes good fighters look ordinary. Also, showed power when he dropped McGregor. Cormier who is an exceptional wrestler, did the almost unthinkable to move up and stop Miocic in the first round. Then dominate Lewis on the ground.
But for me, Max Holloway was that unfashionable, unlikely fighter that has emerged as an absolute beast in his division.
Standing and trading at will. Literally talks the talk and walks that walk. He is confident in his own abilities that he’s prepared to put his power and chin on the line against any challenger.
His 13 fight win streak is a testament to that with only two wins on the ground in that time.
It would be very interesting to see, especially in this era with super fights, if Max will be tempted to move up or organise a catchweight to fight with either McGregor or Khabib. That would really put the cat among the pigeons.
Whatever happens. I really think Max has a legitimate shout at the no1 p4p spot.
I personally don’t think he gets as much credit as he really garners and I think it’s one of those situations where, when he’s gone from the UFC, people will then really recognise and respect what they have witness and will be privilege to have witnessed the blessed era.
