Holloway: “80 to 90% of The World” Thought he Won Volkanovski Rematch

As Max Holloway gets set to fight Calvin Kattar this Saturday at UFC on ABC 1, Alexander Volkanovki, and not him, is holding the featherweight crown. But, ‘Blessed’ is apparently not too bitter about that fact, since, according to him, most people believe he should be the featherweight champ.

Holloway says “80 to 90%” of people thought he beat Volkanovski last time

When Holloway steps into the Octagon this Saturday, he’ll be doing for the first time since July, when he lost again to Volkanovski. In their first bout in December, 2019, Holloway lost the fight via unanimous decision.

While the first bout was a competitive affair, the second one was even closer, and Volkanovski won the fight via split decision. In fact, after the fight, more than a few people voiced their opinion that the Hawaiian star should have been awarded the belt again.

Well, while talking to the media this week, Holloway had this to say about the rematch, and the fact many people thought he took it (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“It means a lot,” Holloway said. “That’s why the last fight, it’s hard to be made about it.

It’s hard to be mad about the last fight cause exactly what you said, 80 to 90 percent of the world thought I won the fight.

“It’s not just fans. It’s competitors. It’s guys like Nate [Diaz], Dustin [Poirier], Justin [Gaethje], Jorge [Masvidal], people like coaches, GSP’s coach [Firas Zahabi], ‘Big’ John McCarthy, the guy who made the rules.

I ain’t too mad about it.”

And, while talking about his mindset for the Kattar fight specifically, Holloway said this.

“I told you guys way before when I had the belt — the belt was just something to show the world that I was the champion,” Holloway explained.

“I’m going to carry myself as a champion belt or no belt. We’re going to go out there and fight. I love fighting. I love to fight.

“People say it’s hard to get up. I’m still fighting five, five [minute] rounds. Still championship rounds.

We’re on ABC. I know a lot of pay-per-view fighters that would kill to be in this position so at the end of the day, it still feels the same.

A fight is a fight to me.”

Typical Holloway?

If you’ve followed Holloway over the years, then these comments probably won’t be a surprise. There’s no question he is a ferocious competitor.

But, at the same time, Holloway never seems to get too high or too low, as a result of what’s going on in his career, good or bad.

UFC on ABC 1 will take place in Abu Dhabi.