UFC 300 draws nearer by the day and the tension is clearly palpable. Whilst the fans cannot wait for the event, the fighters are hard at work, putting final touches on their preparations. As such, Max Holloway and other fighters are leaving no stone unturned, even if it means going back on what they previously said.
For those unaware, Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway is all set to face Justin Gaethje in what will be the people’s main event at UFC 300. Fighting for the prized BMF title, Holloway is coming in like a man possessed for this one. After all, the elusive BMF title is not the only thing up for grabs. As it turns out, the winner of the contest stands a chance to be the next in line to challenge Islam Makhachev’s lightweight throne as well.
The BMF title will be on the line at #UFC300 🚨@Justin_Gaethje & @BlessedMMA collide in a 5-round lightweight bout to see who’s the BADDEST of them all! pic.twitter.com/1TJE1h1cPT
— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2024
Thus, Holloway, a former featherweight champion, has put in his all to firstly transition into being a proper lightweight and thereafter, come up with a game plan to beat Gaethje. In the buildup to the fight, we have seen a different version of the Hawaiian, a much more dangerous and focused Holloway.
Max Holloway looks sharp in sparring ahead of UFC 300
For the most part, it is clear that Max Holloway has a tall task ahead of him. Taking on arguably one of the best lightweight fighters of the modern era, fighters are said to have experienced a major shift in their career after facing Justin Gaethje. Thus, Holloway, who has been in the game for more than a decade, is well aware of the risks.
Ahead of UFC 300, Holloway has dropped clips of his sparring sessions. Further, in the recent UFC 300 Countdown, we got a more extended look at the same. A clear shift in his training and demeanor, Max looks like a completely different fighter ahead of this one.
“If I was born in the gladiator times, I would be a gladiator. Last time I checked, gladiators didn’t walk around with a scale asking what weight you weigh.”
As such, Max Holloway’s segment focused on his full contact sparring sessions and the thoughts of his striking coach, Ivan Flores. Despite Max’s reluctance to spar in the past, the opportunity and the stage call for him to change course on his stance of not sparring.
Max Holloway previously advised fighters against sparring
Previously, Max Holloway made a rather shocking statement that caught many fans and fighters off-guard. Following his grueling contest against Calvin Kattar on Fight Island, Max told fighters not to spar before fights. Often seen as one of the most important parts of a fighter’s training camp, Holloway’s advice to fighters was a puzzling one for many.
In the post-fight press conference, Holloway revealed why he felt that way. According to him, sparring and taking damage during it, severely affects a fighter’s ability to take damage in the long run. Being the fighter that he is, Max’s words hold a lot of weight.
“You guys only get one brain. Save it. You guys don’t need to do it. You sparred enough. You trained enough. You know how to punch someone. You know how to slip a punch. Why even take unnecessary damage before the main game, you know? That’s just the way I think.
“Please, protect you guys’ head. If I got to tell an up-and-comer coming: be smart. Figure out a way of taking less damage. You want to be in this game for a long time.”
Despite making a U-turn on his own statements, it must be said that in all his clips, Max Holloway can be seen wearing full protective gear. As such, it is evident that the fighter still stands by what he said, yet faces a ‘needs must’ situation in his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.