Max Holloway Exclusive UFC 318 Interview

We caught up with Stake Ambassador, UFC legend and current BMF Champion Max Holloway, as he prepares to complete his trilogy against fellow UFC legend Dustin Poirier at UFC 318.

Holloway will headline the event, live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on July 19th.

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How does your CV compare to Dustin Poirier's CV?

I mean his CV is very good, he has fought for a bunch of titles. When he fought me, he did win the interim title. And at the end of the day, I think the reason why me and him are so respected - in not only our weight classes but all of the UFC - I think is because they know that we are fighters and we never shied away from tough fights. We went out there, we fought the best guys, we fought the best guys that UFC had to offer. We fought ranked guys and we clawed our way to the top, and that is the only way to do it.

Does a win here put you in line for a title shot?

When the title fight got announced, Oliveira vs Topuria, I think I was the happiest man alive because I have history with both of them. Then with me having the opportunity and someone like Dustin Poirier, who just his last fight was for the 155 title. You know, if I go out there, I do something spectacular and I get my hand raised, who’s to say no. I know people are saying right now that there are clear-cut number-one contenders, or that a certain guy is clearly next in line. But how often do we actually see those so-called clear-cut contenders get the title shot? This would not be the first time someone goes out, does something spectacular, and changes the conversation. If I go out there and put on a performance, it is going to be hard to deny me. I do not think a title shot is that far off, maybe by the end of the year, or maybe mid next year. Who knows? All I can do is focus on my fights and win. If you ask me, the key in this sport is to be undeniable. So, am I close to a title shot? Why not? If I go out there, do something spectacular, the rest will take care of itself.

At this point in your career, are you more keen on fighting legends like Dustin, or do you still want big title fights?

I am here to get a title. I am here to get an undisputed title. I want to put my name in the history books along with the guys who held two belts in two different weight classes. And if I can get my names etched in the record books like that, then that would be amazing. So that is my main goal right now. At 155, we are rejuvenated, we are refocused. Against Dustin I want to be the spoiler that I know I need to be out there, be the bad guy, I guess, and get my hand raised.

Is Ilia Topuria the hardest P4P puncher in UFC history?

I have been asked how hard he really hit? When I was in there, I did not feel like this guy hit so much harder. But the guy must hit hard. Cause when you are hit hard, then your body does something that it is not used to. And then you think to yourself, what the hell? But comparing his punch. When I fought Gaethje, I felt some things. I felt that Gaethje hits hard and Gaethje kicks hard. When Ilia when he hit me, nothing was like, ‘oh man, he hits hard or whatever’. But you have to say that he hits hard because you see what happens to people when he touches them. So at the end of the day, maybe it is hard to deny that, you know, he might be one of the biggest punchers in UFC history, pound for pound, for sure.

Is Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria a mismatch?

We see what happens in MMA when a lot of people talk about something being a mismatch...it's MMA man anything can happen! Somebody can get caught, somebody can slip, and things just happen. We see weird things happen in this sport so at the end of day, you cannot count anyone out. UFC is about selling fights that people want to see if people keep talking about that fight enough it might happen. I am not a matchmaker, but a lot of people are yapping about it. So never say never.

If it is Justin Gaethje for Paddy instead, how would that fight go?

I think it is a fun fight. Paddy is a brawler, man. But then not only that, if he gets you to the ground, he is a dangerous dude. So at the end of the day, I mean, him and Justin Gaethje would be super intriguing. I think it would be a fun fight for the fans. For sure a fight of the year contender.

Who is your dream fight in the UFC?

You know the only one fight that I would want to fight that I never ever got to fight was Daniel Cormier. This guy thinks he can just keep taking everything I work for you know. He gets to eat as much as he wants, he has a drink as much soda as he wants. He thinks he is the Daddest Man on the Planet brother. We have to solve this. I would like to have a go against him and you know whoop his ass for old times sake.

How would you see Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall playing out?

I mean, it is so hard to predict. Jon Jones is Jon Jones, man. The guy is always figuring out a way. But then when you see someone like Tom Aspinall just fricking absolutely smoking people, it is a tough fight, man. I feel like you have just got to enjoy that fight and watch it. The fans would get a high, in fact, a very, very high level MMA fight. Two smart high-IQ guys. They are just freaks of nature. Guys that are so big moving that fast and hitting that hard. You do not get to see it often - it would be a treat for the fans.

Will we see you fighting at the White House?

We will see what happens, man. Things have got to line up, times have got to line up perfectly but never say never, This sport is crazy. We just got to wait and see. If I had the choice, I mean, why not? I think that would be huge. So why not do that? That would be a one time opportunity. I think that would be the only time you ever see that happen. So to be a part of history would be amazing.