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UFC: Max Holloway prepared to step in for Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier – ‘I’m just a call away’

  • ‘Any weight can get it – I’m willing to fight at anything, I’m a modern-day gladiator,’ says former featherweight champ Holloway
  • ‘Blessed’ keen to ‘mix it up’ with a submission win against No 6-ranked Calvin Kattar in UFC Fight Island 7 main event

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Max Holloway trading blows with Dustin Poirier at UFC 236. Photo: AFP

Former featherweight champ Max Holloway returns to face Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Island 7 on Sunday in what will be his first fight without a title on the line in four and a half years.

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The 29-year-old “Blessed” (21-6) accordingly has a resume stacked with wins over legends and former champs such as Jose Aldo (29-7), Frankie Edgar (23-8-1) and Anthony Pettis (24-10).

Having also faced Conor McGregor (22-4), and Dustin Poirier (26-6, one no contest) – twice – he would be a natural choice to step in, should injury or Covid-19 strike ahead of their blockbuster UFC 257 main event.

“We’ll see what happens,” Holloway said. “First things first, we’ve got Kattar. But I never count nothing out. UFC, I’m just a call away.

“Any weight can get it. I’m willing to fight at anything. I’m a modern-day gladiator and the last time I checked these gladiators back in the day didn’t walk around with a scale.”

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Given Holloway’s last meeting with Poirier was for the interim strap at 155 pounds, he’s certainly walked the walk as well as talked the talk.

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