When Max Holloway was removed from UFC 226, everyone experienced a rollercoaster of emotion.
Firstly, there was despair over the featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega being scrapped. ‘T-City’ called it the biggest 145 lb title fight since McGregor vs Aldo, and he may well have been right. It’s very rare that you get a challenger with a pristine record and finish rate like Ortega’s take on a champion on a win streak like Holloway’s. The fact that both men are in their mid-20s made this even more of a unicorn fight.
Then, the mood quickly changed to concern. When that statement got released detailing Holloway’s ‘concussion-like symptoms,‘ the fight suddenly didn’t feel so important. All that mattered was the champion’s health.
This is almost definitely why McGregor sent the following tweet. He swiftly deleted it after hitting send. Although he is dead right. There are more important things in life than trying to fill a slot on a card.
A brief bout of confused anger over the proposed interim title replacement fight has passed. Now, we can all feel a sense of relief.
Holloway took to Twitter on Friday night to issue a statement. He apologised to Ortega and the fans. ‘Blessed’ also gave props to Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens for accepting the interim fight call. That proposed match-up came together too late and instead, the welterweight scrap between Mike Perry and Paul Felder was moved up to the main card.
It was what it was. Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to @lilheathenmma and @frankieedgar for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you. To all the fans I know this rollercoaster can pic.twitter.com/I094Gv74CK
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018
be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over. Don’t let the bad surprises distract you from the good surprises in this great sport. The best is still blessed.
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018
Holloway responded to McGregor’s second tweet of support on the matter. He even referenced a famous John Kavanagh quote before correcting his mistake with the Irish flag.
Thank you champ champ. One of the best minds in this game said we win or learn. This is learning for me. Hope to see you back brother 🇨🇮🤙🏻 https://t.co/qdj9IbZDPg
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018
🇮🇪🤙🏻 hey guys even normal max makes that mistake 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/cdnAymzg4T
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018
He also thanked Michael Bisping for raising concerns about his health on UFC Tonight.
Thank you for being a true friend and calling me out on TV. This fight game breaks when champs can’t be checked https://t.co/IYKTuHsrZw
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018
It’s great to see the champ being witty on social media again.
Get well soon, Holloway.
