Max Holloway would like in on Khabib Nurmagomedov sweepstakes

ABU DHABI – Max Holloway is throwing his title into the hat.

Pursuing his dominant UFC on ABC 1 unanimous selection gain in excess of Calvin Kattar, Holloway (22-6 MMA, 18-6 UFC) expressed interest in serving as a backup fighter for the UFC 257 pay-for every-view future Saturday.

UFC lightweight contenders Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Dan Hooker are all set to contend at the celebration – 4 of the five competitors Nurmagomedov (29- MMA, 13- UFC) lately expressed prospective desire in coming out of retirement to combat.

Even though Holloway desires to be in the discussion, UFC president Dana White, on the other hand, is fewer keen on the notion.

“I feel he deserves to go residence and acquire some time off,” White claimed at the UFC on ABC 1 submit-struggle information conference. “I regard it, but yeah, we’re great. We’re covered.”

Even with his manager not liking the plan, Holloway insists he’s sticking all-around on “Fight Island” and will be ready if essential. In MMA, unexpected circumstances are not unusual – and Holloway hopes to capitalize really should a person arise.

“I’m right here right until next 7 days. If something comes about in this ridiculous, wild activity, really do not be amazed, guy,” Holloway mentioned. “Tune in subsequent 7 days to a huge fork out-for every-look at. There’s a bunch of surprises occurring.”

Holloway has a history with Nurmagomedov. In 2018, Holloway was briefly paired with Nurmagomedov as a quick-see substitution for Tony Ferguson at UFC 223. On the other hand, Holloway was forced to withdraw all through combat 7 days, and the bout under no circumstances came to fruition.

“We’ll see what takes place, even with Khabib, you know?” Holloway reported. “Khabib is indicating that he wants one thing that’s tremendous attention-grabbing. Possibly I pushed him in excess of the edge a small little bit. We had one particular of the best press conferences in the globe, I assume. We just didn’t have the combat. We could fill that in if he wished to.”

If Holloway’s aspirations for a Nurmagomedov struggle hit a wall, a trilogy with UFC featherweight winner Alexander Volkanovski is possible in the playing cards, in accordance to White, ought to the champ get previous Brian Ortega in March.

Holloway and Volkanovski, have confronted off twice ahead of – with Volkanovski (22-1 MMA, 9- UFC) profitable a unanimous determination and a break up final decision. Holloway doesn’t choose frivolously to Volkanovski’s distaste for a 3rd meeting.

“Volkanovski said – this is his phrases not mine – he stated he needs a different combat. He doesn’t want a harder battle, guys,” Holloway claimed. “Let that sink in: He wants a unique struggle. He didn’t say, ‘I want a harder challenge.’ He is aware who the hardest problem is. He appreciates it’s me. At the finish of the working day, I’m not heading to pressure any individual to struggle me. I’m going to stay prepared and do whichever I have bought to do and just be all set.”