Max Holloway Exclusive UFC 326 Interview

We caught up with UFC legend and current BMF Champion Max Holloway, as he prepares to complete his trilogy against fellow UFC legend Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

Holloway will headline the event, live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on July 19th.

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How has training camp been for you?

It's been great man, I really enjoy my training camps these days. I feel strong, have more energy, and I feel better physically, emotionally and just in my general mood. I feel like we're still getting better - it's been a good one.

Is that due to weight cut or other factors, that you enjoy them more now?

Realistically it is largely down to the weight cut. You know, I was still enjoying the fight camps at featherweight, but it got to a point where I was sacrificing things I shouldn't have been sacrificing. I eat the same things I always have, just in bigger portions! You know, at featherweight sometimes I wouldn't even eat them, I'd just look at them! Now I can go to family parties and not turn down the cake, it's nice!

This is not the first time you're fighting someone who you've fought previously. Does it affect the way you train?

Not really to be honest. It was so long ago when we fought, and we have both become totally different fighters, that there isn't much I can take from that fight. When you fight someone back to back like I did with Volk, then it can affect it, but on this occasion not really.

The first fight with Charles ended bizarrely. What do you expect from Charles Oliveira this time around?

Charles is a killer, man. He's a great fighter with amazing skills. I find it funny, people say that this is a striker v grappler match up, but this is MMA, man. Charles is not a straight jiu jitsu guy, he uses his strikes to set up his grappling. I've seen some people say, 'If it goes to the ground, it's over for Max,' and I'm like, what?! I am very confident in my takedown defence, but also my ground game. I've been training jiu jitsu for years, I love it. I have way more jiu jitsu sessions now than any other aspect and I actually like them the most.

You train in the gi a lot, is that right?

Yeah I like training in the gi. I saw some things online with people saying why am I doing that, it's unrealistic… but if you can't hold me down in a gi, then you're not going to hold me down when I'm all sweaty in an MMA fight!

When you fought all those years ago, did you think Charles would go on to have the career he has ended up having?

This is MMA, and it happens when people go on these crazy runs, so I wasn't surprised, nothing surprises me in this game. Charles said himself, he was a cub back then, now he's a lion! Maybe I was a toddler back then and now I'm a teenager? Jokes aside, I'm glad we've both gone on to do what we have done, and I'm looking forward to getting back in there with him.

You seem to be coming into your prime, despite being so experienced and the fans having known you for forever. Do you feel this is the case?

Definitely. I am only 34! People seem to think I'm like 42 or something. Maybe my body is 42, but come on man, I'm young! I think the last few fights have shown that I'm coming into my prime, and doing it at lightweight. I think another big thing to consider in modern sports is recovery. It is so advanced now, which means that getting older isn't as much of a problem. My friend, his wife, injured her ACL, and within a month she was walking with no knee brace! It's crazy the advancements, and I think by taking care of myself, it is going to allow me to fight for longer.

Have the UFC told you that this is a number 1 contender fight?

You never know with the UFC, but if you keep winning and winning in style, it's hard to deny. I know that the fans like to watch me fight, and if I go out there and put on another show stopping moment, another UFC 300 moment, big things are coming.

Justin Gaethje seems to be the likely opponent for Ilia Topuria for the undisputed Lightweight belt. You have fought them both - how do you see that fight going?

You know, people seem to think that after Justin's last fight, that means Ilia will win easily. I think sometimes you have to do what Justin did against Paddy. You have to make it ugly and put people in a fight, when they're not used to that style. I think Justin made that fight look how he wanted it to look, and congrats to him. I'd love to get that one back against Ilia, and I know Justin would love to get the one back against me, so whoever wins, I think I'm in a great position.

We saw Volk put on another fantastic performance last month - were you pleased to see him come back after those defeats and show his greatness?

Of course, it is great to see Volk do his thing. I always had Aldo as the GOAT because he had all the records, but I do think now you have to say it's Volk… To do what he has done, and I think now he's one fight away from Aldo's record anyway, I think you have to say it's Volk as the featherweight GOAT.

You have conquered featherweight - what blockbuster fights are you chasing at Lightweight?

The belt is definitely the goal, but I also have the BMF title, which I'm super proud of, and it opens up a lot of really interesting fights. Then we have a certain Conor McGregor wanting to make his return to the cage. You know, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't take that fight - it's Conor McGregor man, you have to take that fight. We obviously have our history, and I think it would be great at The White House. Another one I had history with is Khabib. You know, he's retired, but I feel like Islam is part of that team, and I'd like a shot at Islam as well. I think we're in a really great position with some exciting fights ahead.

Dana White has made a flying start to his transition into boxing. You once said you were the best boxer in the UFC. Is it something you'd like to do?

I would love to fight boxing! I'd do it now, but I don't think Dana would let me! You know, boxing and MMA are completely different, because you don't have to worry about knees, elbows, or takedowns coming back at you. I feel like if I boxed, my style would be very different, but I'd love to box.

Leading up to the fight we have seen training footage with you and your wife - who looks impressive on the bag! Could we see her lift UFC gold soon?

No man, she loves to fight, but it's more for fun, and she says 'Staying ready so she doesn't have to get ready.' I fight to provide for my family, but my wife is a tough and proud Hawaiian, and if anyone were to mess around, they could find out!