ABU DHABI – Max Holloway misplaced by knockout for the primary time in his profession Saturday at UFC 308, however by no means did it change his typical method of dealing with defeats with grace.
Shortly after his third-round defeat to Ilia Topuria, Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) took the rostrum backstage at Etihad Enviornment to discipline questions from reporters. As Holloway spoke, it appeared he’d already separated the emotion of the second from his evaluation.
“I felt nice. I used to be discovering my groove,” Holloway informed MMA Junkie and different reporters. “You noticed on the scoreboards after, I used to be type of stunned. I believed I had at the very least considered one of them. Within the first spherical, I do know he took me down. Then on the ending he had that takedown. It’s what it’s. It felt good displaying off my fingers. I used to be touchdown. I used to be shifting quick. I believe I had him stunned in there. Like I stated, I used to be doing effectively till I wasn’t. … Recreation of inches, man. Recreation of inches. He landed one thing that I discovered myself him, up from the bottom. It’s what it’s.”
Holloway stated his weight reduce was considered one of his greatest at featherweight, however a shift to light-weight may nonetheless be so as. The failed title bid Saturday was his fourth featherweight title battle loss in a row. Holloway is allured by the clearer paths to gold, more energizing matchups, and lesser weight reduce at 155 kilos.
“We’re all going to take a seat down with the staff, chill out. There’s nothing wanted to be dashing again to proper now. However I can attempt coming again in the summertime, the massive July card, proper, in Vegas? Do one thing. We’ll see what occurs. I imply, 155 appears actually good proper now. … Like I stated, I had the perfect 145 reduce right here. However what else is there to do? I had a pair instances to reclaim it. New guys arising. Yeah, that’d be enjoyable. However I believe 155 appears extra enjoyable, preventing extra, the caliber, everybody there, and the names there, it appears actually thrilling to place my identify within the combine.”
After all of the questions had been requested, Holloway thanked media members within the room – and likewise took it upon himself to depart them with one final parting message.
“You guys are going to see me again,” Holloway stated. “It’s not a funeral. I promise.”
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