Max Holloway’s approach to his upcoming UFC 300 fight against Justin Gaethje is one of cautious optimism. The former featherweight champion, who will be competing at lightweight for the second time in his career, is taking a “wait and see” approach as he prepares to step into the octagon on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Holloway’s last venture into the lightweight division didn’t go as planned, as he faced Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236 five years ago. Despite putting up a valiant effort, Holloway suffered a unanimous decision loss to Poirier. However, this time around, Holloway feels more confident and prepared.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Holloway expressed his belief that he is physically and mentally stronger than before. He emphasized that he had more time to prepare for the fight with Gaethje compared to his bout with Poirier, which was accepted on just six weeks’ notice. Holloway believes that this extended preparation period will make a significant difference in his performance.
While Holloway acknowledged the disappointment of his past losses, particularly against Poirier, he refused to make excuses and instead focused on the future. He sees the fight with Gaethje as an opportunity to showcase his skills and silence any doubts about his abilities in the lightweight division.
Holloway is optimistic about his chances against Gaethje and anticipates a thrilling matchup that could potentially earn him a shot at the featherweight title. However, he also understands the unpredictability of MMA and is prepared to reassess his career path based on the outcome of the fight.
In summary, Holloway’s approach to his upcoming bout with Gaethje is one of cautious optimism and determination. He is focused on putting on a stellar performance and proving himself as a formidable contender in the lightweight division.
