Javier Mendez, the esteemed coach behind the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) and mentor to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, recently shared insights on a potential matchup between Makhachev and former UFC featherweight king Max Holloway.
As it stands, Makhachev is gearing up to defend his lightweight title against Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier at UFC 302 on June 1. Meanwhile, Holloway is eyeing a bout with newly crowned UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria following his stunning knockout victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
In an interview with Championship Rounds, Mendez emphasized the importance of strategy and gameplan in a potential showdown between Makhachev and Holloway. He highlighted Makhachev’s grappling prowess, stating that he wouldn’t engage in a stand-up battle with Holloway but instead opt to take him down and work him on the ground. Mendez pointed out that Holloway lacks strong wrestling defense, making him vulnerable in grappling exchanges.
While acknowledging Holloway’s impressive track record and fighting spirit, Mendez expressed confidence in Makhachev’s ability to control the fight on the ground. He noted that while Holloway has proven doubters wrong in the past, he doesn’t view him as a significant threat to Makhachev’s style of fighting.
Looking ahead, if both Makhachev and Holloway emerge victorious in their respective bouts, it sets the stage for a potential champion vs. champion showdown. Only eight such matchups have occurred in UFC history, making this potential clash between Makhachev and Holloway a historic prospect given their star power and the narratives surrounding their careers.
Max Holloway’s reputation as a crowd-pleasing fighter with a knack for thrilling battles adds to the allure of this matchup. Having held the UFC featherweight title and defended it three times, Holloway’s recent victory over Gaethje further solidified his status as one of the sport’s elite competitors.
On the other hand, Makhachev has carved his own path out of the shadow of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, with impressive title defenses against the likes of former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. With both fighters boasting impressive resumes, a potential clash between Makhachev and Holloway promises to be a blockbuster event in mixed martial arts.
