Max Holloway on UFC title challenger Conor McGregor: 'I'd do anything for that rematch'

Max Holloway and Conor McGregor

Max Holloway believes he’s one of a few fighters that have the respect of outspoken UFC featherweight Conor McGregor – both in and out of the octagon.

Holloway (12-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and McGregor (17-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) fought for three rounds at UFC Fight Night 26 in a bout that ultimate saw “The Notorious” leave with the unanimous decision victory. That’s a feat in and of itself, because McGregor has earned the rest of his UFC wins by knockout with no one able to survive past seven minutes.

“Blessed” went all 15 minutes with McGregor in the August 2013 bout. However, instead of receiving praise for his hardened performance, the post-fight storyline focused on McGregor’s torn ACL that he suffered in the second round.

McGregor was out 11 months with the injury, but returned to make a thunderous run up the 145-pound ranks and now sits on the cusp of a title shot. He’ll challenge longtime champion Jose Aldo for the title at UFC 189 in July.

Holloway, on the other hand, rebounded from the loss to go on a nice run of his own. He’s won five consecutive fights, four by stoppage, and is closing in on his most significant bout since McGregor nearly two years ago.

The 23-year-old is set to take on Cub Swanson at UFC on FOX 15 on April 18 in a fight that could elevate him into title contention. That’s exactly where Holloway wants to be, because it would mean he’s closer to one of his largest goals in the sport, and that’s a second date with McGregor.

“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.”

Holloway’s position as the only man who McGregor failed to finish in UFC competition is one angle for a rematch. However, Holloway’s greatest incentive is the opportunity to compete at full strength. McGregor may have endured a knee injury half way through the fight, but Holloway was also injured in the contest. He said he suffered a sprained ankle in the opening seconds of the fight and was forced to readjust for nearly 15 minutes.

“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.”

Holloway is a humble figure in the sport who lives and trains in Hawaii. He’s not one to disrespect past or future opponents, but felt the need to reveal McGregor wasn’t the only one at less than 100 percent. He feels a rematch is imminent, though, particularly because he and McGregor are still relatively young in the game.

“That was the only injury I’ve ever had in any fight, was that fight,” Holloway said. “Of course it had to be against that guy. It just wasn’t meant to be. God has a plan for me and his plan is prevailing. I’m on a different path. We might cross paths again. We might not. But I’m going to be around this division for a long time.”

Holloway knows that several crucial aspects must come together to make the McGregor rematch a reality. The most important of which is defeated Swanson at UFC on FOX 15. The featherweight bout airs on the FOX-televised main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass at Newark’s Prudential Center.

Swanson is a stern test, but one Holloway said he’s confident he’ll pass. What he’s not as confident about, though, is McGregor’s chances against Aldo. He’s not ready to count out the brash Irishman, but believes it’s no accident that “Scarface” is the only featherweight champion in UFC history.

“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.”

For more on UFC on FOX 15, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.