Max Holloway is working his way back into action after an unfortunate ankle injury sidelined him from UFC 222, but isn’t afraid to take his fights outside of the octagon.
The social media rivalry between Holloway and UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor picked up once again earlier this month when the two traded insults on Twitter in the aftermath of UFC 222. McGregor targeted Holloway after the featherweight champ posted a message of support for Frankie Edgar.
Holloway responded with a pair of tweets with one of them stating that he was looking forward to McGregor’s “two strips meal” after the Irishman landed a sponsorship with fast food giant Burger King (essentially knocking McGregor’s Burger King commercial).
On The MMA Hour, Holloway said he has “no idea” why he’s become a frequent target of McGregor’s on social media, but that’s not going to stop him from defending himself from unprovoked attacks.
“The guy keeps jabbing at me and jabbing at me, or whatever, and every time I reply they’re like, ‘Why are you doing this? Why are you replying?’” Holloway told host Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I’m like, ‘Did you guys ever get picked on? You guys like getting picked on? Stand up for your damn self.’ Then the one time I finally — this guy goes and throws a juicy underhand pitch, I take a swing at it and hit it out of the park, and everybody’s all salty. They’re like, ‘Aw, you’re looking for a money [fight].’
“I ain’t looking for a money fight. This guy’s been trying to bully me the whole time. He’s enjoying his retired life, talking about all this kind of wild stuff, and then the one time I attack him, you guys get on me. Get out of here with that stuff. I know what’s on the timetable, and the timetable right now is (Brian) Ortega, so that’s my full focus.”
Holloway fought McGregor back in 2013, but lost via unanimous decision. Since then, Holloway racked up a 12-fight win streak across the UFC’s featherweight ranks.
Holloway added that he doesn’t expect a McGregor rematch to arrive at his doorstep anytime soon, even if he is one of the few consistent social media targets of “The Notorious.”
“A lot of people like talking,” Holloway said.
“Until we see a contract, until we see something actually in motion, then I’ll believe it. But right now, talk is talk, and talk is cheap. So I’m not too worried about it.”