UFC champ Max Holloway predicts Mayweather-McGregor winner and – spoiler – it's neither fighter

LAS VEGAS – Max Holloway had barely exited the octagon after his title-unifying UFC 212 win over Jose Aldo when he was asked about who should be next for his title: Frankie Edgar or Cub Swanson.

The champ was diplomatic about it. If it came down to it, he’d be OK with giving Swanson (25-7 MMA, 10-3 UFC) a rematch after a UFC on FOX 15 encounter that ended in a third-round submission for Holloway. But he did seem to lean toward former lightweight champ Edgar (22-5-1 MMA, 16-5-1 UFC) – who, ultimately, would allow Holloway to add another champ to his list of victims.

Over a month later – shortly before UFC president Dana White pointed to Edgar as the likely challenger – Holloway was once again put in front of reporters to answer questions about his immediate octagon future. And he was, once again, non-committal.

But at least he had a sense of humor about it.

“I guess I’m going to say it to you guys: We’ve got a fight announcement,” Holloway opened his scrum with reporters during Saturday’s UFC 213. “It’s what you guys all thought. It’s Frankie… And Cub. Two guys, one night. UFC is going to do a special event for me. Tag team match. Come get it, guys. Come watch it; it’s going to be great.”

Considering that negotiations were still underway, it’s understandable why Holloway was careful not to express a clear preference of challenger. Instead, he went for his habitual “I want to fight everyone” reply, placing responsibility for what’s ultimately a “business decision” on the UFC brass, the fans, and even the media.

But he did admit that, when it comes to sheer fan interest, there is a frontrunner. As it turns out, it’s neither Edgar nor Swanson.

“It’s actually (UFC lightweight champion Conor) McGregor,” Holloway said. “Everybody keeps saying ‘McGregor, McGregor.’ I’m like, ‘Guys, that guy’s boxing right now. He’s got other things. Respect to that guy, he’s got other things.'”

By “other things” he means of course, the highly buzzed-about boxing match between McGregor and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. The two are set to meet on Aug. 26 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. And after the mega-event – and the paycheck that will follow – many wonder if McGregor will ever return to the cage.

If he does, the Irishman has unfinished business – at least in the eyes of some contenders. Although McGregor won two UFC belts, in both the 145-pound division and 155-pound divisions, he’s yet to take part in a single defense. While he was stripped of the featherweight title, he’s still the UFC’s 155-pound kingpin.

Holloway, who happens to be one of McGregor’s octagon victims, seems tired of speaking about the Irishman at this point. After all, it’s now been four years, 11 UFC wins and two UFC titles since he lost to McGregor at UFC on FOX 26. Would he like to get that one back? Of course – the same way he’d like to avenge all three of his career losses.

“But, at the end of the day, we’re not here to talk about that guy,” Holloway said. “That guy’s not even in my sport right now. That guy’s over there focusing on boxing. This is called mixed martial arts. They know who to call. they’ve got Dana White’s number. They’ve got my manager’s number.

“I’m the best 145-er in the world, and if they’ve got a question of me going up to 155, I’ll do it no problem. I love eating. I’m Polynesian. You can see – my chubby cheeks is giving it away a little bit.”

OK, so Holloway is done with the McGregor talk. But, while we’re at it, who does he think will be the winner of the mega-event on Aug. 26?

“The big winner of that fight is Dana White,” Holloway said. “And the UFC, dog. They’re the big winners.”

When it comes to his octagon future, the typically active Holloway is confident that he’ll fight at least once more this year. And, though his hand has some healing up to do, he expects to be cleared by August.

If White is to be believed, that return should happen against Edgar. And while time and place have yet to be set, it’s no secret that the UFC is planning a November return to New York City’s Madison Square Garden – which just so happens to be quite close to Edgar’s New Jersey turf.

On his end, Holloway is still pushing for that UFC event in Hawaii. In fact, he thinks it might become a reality as early as next year. But, after going all the way to Brazil to dethrone Aldo in front of his kingdom, he’d be OK with entering enemy territory at MSG as well.

“What is there to say – that’s another legend,” Holloway said. “That’s another legend of our sport, of the lower weight classes, and I can’t wait. I’ve been wanting to fight that guy forever, for a long time.

“I’ve been calling him out for a while now. And now we’re here. Now we’ve got to figure out, we’ll see what happens. We’ll see if we get it done. If it’s at MSG, it’s even better – that’s history.”

To hear from Holloway, check out the video above.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.