Max Holloway welcomed a rematch against ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor ahead of his UFC 308 title bout against Ilia Topuria.
Holloway on Saturday is attempting to regain the featherweight title against Topuria, a fighter many claim is the best boxer in the UFC.
Holloway and McGregor fighting in August 2013Getty – Contributor
Topuria defends his featherweight belt against Holloway on SaturdayGetty
The 32-year-old is no stranger to a dangerous striker – across 12 years in Dana White’s fighting promotion he has faced the likes of Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski – the man he lost the title to in 2019.
He will have the chance to win that belt back against Topuria at UFC 308, but talks has already strayed onto his future plans, and a possible reunion in the Octagon with McGregor – more then ten years after their first meeting.
In an interview with former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, when asked about a potential rematch with McGregor. Holloway – defeated in their original fight – opened the door.
“Yeah I mean anybody that sits here and tells you they won’t fight Conor McGregor is talking out their ass,” he said.
“I think DJ [Demetrius Johnson] would come out of retirement to fight him to be honest.
“I’m not too crazy about it but if the opportunity came you’d be dumb as hell not to take that fight.
“Financially that can change a lot of people’s lives and you’d be stupid to not try and take it, but chasing him for quite some time is kind of wild.
“If it was there, we got a contract, we had a date, why not? At any weight. A lot of people keep talking about weight, I’ll fight that man at any weight.
“I know he looks like a killer, he looks dangerous. I think it probably annoys him that I was the only 145 lbs fighter he didn’t finish or drop.”
He continued: “Actually I was probably the only fighter that he took down in the UFC at least. He actually shot and took my ass down.
“I hurt my ankle in that fight. There’s so many things that could have happened if my ankle wasn’t hurt.
The defeat to McGregor changed everything for HollowayGetty Images – Getty
“If I had 20 million dollars in the bank right now the only time you’d see me is on kick gambling. If I had 20 million dollars, brother, leave me alone. I might even go change my name.”
Holloway and McGregor first fought over a decade ago in August 2013 when the Hawaiian lost via unanimous decision – with both fighters since changing weight classes.
Following that fight both went on to become champions. The Irishman grabbed the belt first in July 2015 against Chad Mendes via TKO in the second round.
His title defence was against Jose Aldo which produced arguably the best knockout in UFC history, finishing the Brazilian in 13 seconds with a beautiful counter left hook.
Holloway would have to go on a nine fight win streak until he earned his title shot against Anthony Pettis in December 2016. He was victorious in the third round via TKO.
McGregor has been on a three-year hiatus away from the Octagon – his last fight being a loss to Poirier in July 2021.
You would have to go a year back to discover his last win, which was a first round finish against Donald Cerrone.
Since July 2021 Holloway has fought five times, winning four including his highlight filled match against Justin Gaethje as the two stood in the centre and traded blows, which ended in a last round knockout.
