UFC 284 delivered a lot of interesting updates involving the featherweight division. Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski lost the fight against Islam Makhachev. On the other hand, Yair Rodriguez became the interim champion by defeating Josh Emmett. The next contender could come from the Arnold Allen vs Max Holloway matchup.
Arnold is on an impressive 9-fight win streak and Holloway is expected to be one of his toughest battles yet. But the upcoming prospect seems up to the task and he didn’t forget to show his respect towards the ‘blessed’ while talking in an interview,
“It was the matchup I was hoping for when they announced the interim fight. So I was kind of — not surprised, I was expecting it. But then the UFC doesn’t always do what you expect. Sometimes they come out of the left field with some, and I’m like, ‘Hang on a minute, what’s going on there?’ But in a way, I was sort of relieved, because that was the next best option out there that wasn’t an interim title shot. For me, I think this is bigger than that opportunity”
He also had this to say for the Interim champ, “All respect to Yair, but Max beat him the last time out.”
What are the stakes in the Arnold Allen vs Max Holloway fight?
Max is a phenomenal fighter who has faced some of the toughest fighters ever to have stepped inside the Octagon. But he is old now and his body just can’t keep up against the young blood. In a recent interview, he admitted to not sparring anymore, instead relying on his experience and modified coaching to prepare for his fights.
Say what you will about the earlier fights against Volk, the third fight had a very clear winner and it was not Max. Even if the Hawaiian wins the fight, not many will want to see him fight the same opponent four times.
The match goes down on April 15, at Kansas City.
