Holloway pleased with MMA growth in the PHL
A PRACTITIONER of mixed martial arts who is very passionate about, and dedicate to it, Max Holloway said he is pleased to see the steady growth of the sport in the Philippines.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) #3 featherweight contender Holloway, who returned to the country last week to promote the UFC Fight Night Manila happening next month, highlighted the development of MMA since he was last here.
“It’s growing and I love that. Before there was a lot of striking which was good, me being a striker, but now fighters here have developed their ground game, which is a welcome development. They just have to continue what they are doing and do not stop,” Mr. Holloway shared to members of the media during his brief Manila stop.
The 24- year- old Hawaiian fighter also expressed delight over the kind of fans the Philippines has, describing them as very knowledgeable of the sport and warm with their reception and he hopes to continue coming back either for a fight or just a visit.
One of the top fighters in his division, Mr. Holloway said he hopes to get a shot at the title, setting his sights on a match with interim featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
“I want Jose Aldo. He is the interim champion and I want to say I’m coming for the title. I hope UFC gives me that fight,” said Mr. Holloway, who is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak.
The last time he lost was in August 2013 against featherweight champion Conor McGregor (unanimous decision) which he hopes to redeem himself from as well with a possible rematch.
EXCITING FIGHT
On next month’s UFC Manila event, headlined by the featherweight battle between #4 contender Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas and UFC legend BJ “The Prodigy” Penn, Mr. Holloway said fans should expect an exciting fight.
“Lamas is a tough dude but he is fighting another tough guy in BJ Penn,” he said.
“Hopefully BJ Penn could pull it off. But it’s a fight and anything can happen,” Mr. Holloway added.
UFC Fight Night Manila is set for Oct. 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this week that UFC Gym has signed an exclusive 10-year partnership with Fitspiration Philippines Corp. to open 30 gyms nationwide.
The first of the authentic UFC Gyms in the country is targeted for opening in early 2017 in the Glorietta, Makati City area.
“We’re very excited to embark on this exclusive partnership to expand UFC Gym’s global footprint throughout the Philippines,” UFC Gym Chief Executive Officer Brent Leffel said in a statement.
“Filipino fight fans understand our brand and partnering with Fitspiration is a perfect fit to help Manila’s fitness enthusiasts train different while working to achieve their individual fitness goals,” he added.
Based in Metro Manila, Fitspiration is a new entity comprised of key players in the Philippine fitness industry.