Max Holloway Eyeing Conor McGregor Rematch
Fans can say what they want about the opposition and level of talent Irish superstar “The Notorious” Conor McGregor has faced, but one thing is for sure. McGregor has proven that he is a pure finisher, and that he always looks for the kill. 16 of McGregor’s 17 career wins have come by way of either knockout or submission.
That one decision is quite evident, as it occurred in “The Notorious” one’s second UFC fight when he met rising Hawaiian Max “Blessed” Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. McGregor indeed injured himself in the second round, but at the end of the day he could not finish Holloway, although still getting the win.
Speaking with MMAJunkie, “Blessed” expressed his desire for a rematch with the Irishmen, and even seemed confident that it will eventually happen:
“I’d do anything for that rematch,” Holloway told MMAjunkie. “It’s going to happen. McGregor is a cool dude. He has nothing but respect for me. Every time someone brings up my name in interviews, he talks some good stuff. I think I earned his respect.”
After the fight, McGregor constantly blamed his injury for not securing a finish, but Holloway doesn’t buy that. “Blessed” even went as far to say that he had an injury in the first 30-seconds of the fight and didn’t bring it up, while “The Notorious” one cried about his. The Hawaiian believes the two had a great battle the first time, and a rematch would be even better:
“Everyone always says this and that about the first fight, but he cried about an injury that he had at the end of the second round,” Holloway said. “I didn’t cry about no injury. I had an injury in the first 30 seconds of the fight and I fought him all the way to a decision. He had two rounds to finish me and he couldn’t get it done. […] If he wants to get it done and he wants to get that back, then give me a rematch and we’ll see what happens. If he wins his next fight and I win my fight, we’ll see what happens. Maybe we could do that rematch. I would love to get back at him. The first fight was great and the second fight is going to be even better.”
If this rematch was to happen it would definitely have to wait some time, as both men are gearing up for the biggest fight of their lives. McGregor is set to challenge reigning king Jose Aldo for the title in the biggest fight of the year at UFC 189 in July. Holloway on the other hand is set to take on top contender Cub Swanson at April 18’s UFC on FOX 15.
As for the upcoming title fight, Holloway doesn’t have a clear prediction. He noted that anything can happen in MMA, but he’s also well aware of Aldo’s dominance:
“This is MMA; we’ve got these little gloves on so everyone has a chance,” Holloway said. “It just takes one punch to the right spot and you go night-night, or you’re looking up at the ceiling asking what’s happening. It happened to the greatest of all time in there with Anderson Silva. […] I’m not counting Conor McGregor out, but we just have to see. Aldo’s been the king of the division for a reason. I think it’s going to be a great fight and I hope it’s a war and not just one-sided.”
A win over Swanson would do wonders for Holloway, but it definitely would not warrant a title shot in the stacked 145-pound division. Possibly a rematch could occur if “Blessed” wins his next bout and McGregor falls to the champion?
Will Holloway ever become a true contender, and is a rematch with McGregor in his future?
