Max Holloway is all set for his rematch with Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 on April 14 at the State Farm Arena. The current UFC Featherweight champion will be looking to become a two-time champion although he faces someone who had beaten him at UFC 143 via submission.
However, it seems Holloway is hardly bothered by that previous meeting. In fact, he is brimming with confidence that he will be the first “I-Champ”.
“I would be the first champ – I – champ and nobody could take that away from me. There’s three Champ Champ’s already, so I would be the first Champ – I – Champ,” said Holloway in an interview opportunity arranged by a Singapore-based promotion.
Seeing how Holloway is on a 13-fight win streak, it is hardly surprising that the 27-year-old is brimming with confidence against his former conqueror. Seven years later, Holloway says that both he and Poirier have grown and evolved, making the upcoming rematch something to watch.
“As I said, all of these guys are cupcakes. That cupcake left a bad taste in my mouth 7 years ago. Hopefully, this time around it is much sweeter. I just can’t wait. We’ve both grown, we were both young back then. I can’t wait to share the Octagon with him once again,” he said.
Poirier somehow agrees with Holloway. A lot has happened in the past seven years and the 30-year-old mixed martial artist agrees that his upcoming opponent is an entirely different fighter.
“You grow, you make an adjustment, you evolve, or you don’t stay in the UFC for 7 years. Some guys wish they could have a career in the UFC for & plus years. He (Holloway) has done that, at the top level and has become an undisputed world champion. Holloway is now a completely different fighter,” said Poirier.
One thing that Holloway was able to address was the lack of a striking game, ESPN said. Realizing this void, his camp finally added one following a third UFC defeat at the hands of Conor McGregor in 2013. From there, Holloway and company never looked back.
Finally, Holloway was asked on his thoughts of Conor McGregor. The Notorious alleges he is retired although UFC Dana White plans to talk to him and work out something.
“Sounds like he is really retired to me. But if he comes back, he comes back. I am not holding my breath over anything. If he so happens to come back and try and get in the way then we will meet again,” ended Holloway.
