Max Holloway holds the state flag of Hawaii at UFC 218 on Saturday night. Jose Juarez
Jose Juarez
Updated at 1.45
MAX HOLLOWAY SUCCESSFULLY defended his UFC featherweight title early Sunday morning, beating Jose Aldo via TKO in the third round at the Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit.
It was the first time Holloway had attempted to defend the 145-pound title, beating Brazilian Aldo for the second time in less than six months following their initial meeting at UFC 212 back in June.
“You know, at the end of the day it is… what is is,” Holloway laughed following his win.
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“I knew he was tired already, that was the whole thing”, he reflected when asked by UFC President Dana White if he had coaxed his opponent into a third round slug fest.
“My trainer said ‘let’s take him into deep water, we know he can’t swim there and then we’re gonna drown him.’ That’s exactly what we did.”
The win means Holloway continues a 12-fight unbeaten streak which stretches back four years, with the Hawaiian last falling to Conor McGregor in 2013.
“I still don’t know if Conor will ever fight again, so I’m rolling like he’s not,” Holloway told ESPN on the prospect of a rematch.
“If Conor comes back and defends the title, anything is possible.
He added: “I’ll gladly fight him. If the Conor fight doesn’t happen, it’s not on my side.”
Elsewhere on the main card Eddie Alvarez defeated Justin Gaethje with a powerful knee in the final round just as the fight looked like going the distance, while Cameroonian heavyweight Francis Ngannou recorded his sixth consecutive UFC win, beating veteran Alistair Overeem.
Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo got the better of Sergio Pettis, ending his four-fight winning streak, while Tecia Torres got a third straight win under her belt by beating Michelle Waterson by unanimous decision.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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'I'll gladly fight him' - Holloway open to McGregor rematch after defending UFC featherweight title
Updated at 1.45
MAX HOLLOWAY SUCCESSFULLY defended his UFC featherweight title early Sunday morning, beating Jose Aldo via TKO in the third round at the Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit.
It was the first time Holloway had attempted to defend the 145-pound title, beating Brazilian Aldo for the second time in less than six months following their initial meeting at UFC 212 back in June.
“You know, at the end of the day it is… what is is,” Holloway laughed following his win.
“I knew he was tired already, that was the whole thing”, he reflected when asked by UFC President Dana White if he had coaxed his opponent into a third round slug fest.
“My trainer said ‘let’s take him into deep water, we know he can’t swim there and then we’re gonna drown him.’ That’s exactly what we did.”
The win means Holloway continues a 12-fight unbeaten streak which stretches back four years, with the Hawaiian last falling to Conor McGregor in 2013.
“I still don’t know if Conor will ever fight again, so I’m rolling like he’s not,” Holloway told ESPN on the prospect of a rematch.
“If Conor comes back and defends the title, anything is possible.
He added: “I’ll gladly fight him. If the Conor fight doesn’t happen, it’s not on my side.”
Elsewhere on the main card Eddie Alvarez defeated Justin Gaethje with a powerful knee in the final round just as the fight looked like going the distance, while Cameroonian heavyweight Francis Ngannou recorded his sixth consecutive UFC win, beating veteran Alistair Overeem.
Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo got the better of Sergio Pettis, ending his four-fight winning streak, while Tecia Torres got a third straight win under her belt by beating Michelle Waterson by unanimous decision.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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Champion featherweight Jose Aldo Little Caesar’s Arena Max Holloway MMA UFC UFC 218