Max Holloway Speaks Out For the First Time Since UFC 226 Removal

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UFC 226 is now available on Amazon Prime.

Two days after the stunning news of his removal from the UFC 226 lineup, Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight champion Max Holloway has broken his silence.

Holloway (19-3) was pulled from a blockbuster fight for the third time in a row, this time his scheduled title defense against Brian Ortega. Holloway was hospitalized twice during fight week and gave several disconcerting interviews that raised eyebrows as to the 26 year-old Hawaiian’s health as he cut weight in an effort to make the 145 pound featherweight limit. On Wednesday, his withdrawal from the card was announced, citing “concussion-like symptoms.”

After two days with no public comment from the champion, “Blessed” took to Twitter on Friday to speak out for the first time, mentioning Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens while doing so:

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

#Blessyourself

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018

Several fighters wished the featherweight champion well upon hearing the news, and Holloway responded. Khabib Nurmagomedov, against whom Holloway had briefly been booked to fight at UFC 223, expressed his well-wishes and empathized with Holloway in the frustration that comes with pulling out of a fight:

Thank you my brother. I know you know what it is because your whole team is champions. Peace be with you https://t.co/WEtHgunoh3

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018

One-time dance partner Conor McGregor, who remains the last man to defeat Holloway in the Octagon, sent an uncharacteristically heartfelt message to his former opponent, acknowledging “Blessed” as the 145 pound king in the process. Holloway made sure to recognize McGregor’s tweet, as well:

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

UFC President Dana White was not optimistic about Holloway’s immediate return, even going so far as to say that “there’s no way [he] fights anytime soon.”

UFC 226 will continue onward with Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis promoted to the co-main event on Saturday night.

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