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MANILA, Philippines – In a worst-case scenario that a fighter withdraws from the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s second live event in the Philippines on October 15, No. 3 featherweight contender Max Holloway is willing to step in and take a short-notice bout.
Even if the event is only less than 4 weeks away, Holloway stressed he will probably not think twice if he has to fill in a void on the UFC Fight Night Manila 2 card, which takes place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“We see what happens. I don’t know. Who knows? I might get an offer that I can’t refuse. I’m a fighter, and that’s what I do. I just fight,” he told Rappler.
The event already had its first pullout a few days ago when French stalwart Mehdi Baghdad scratched off the card due to an undisclosed injury that he sustained in training.
UFC officials found a replacement in current Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) featherweight kingpin Alex Volkanovski, who now faces lightweight mainstay Jon Tuck.
The 24-year-old Hawaiian explained that he is prepared to serve as a last-minute substitute because he has not fought for 3 months when he dominated Ricardo Lamas for a unanimous decision victory last June.
“Fighting is my passion. I love what I do,” Holloway stated. “As long as it’s the right weight and a good offer, I will take it. I’m always ready to scrap. I am ready to get back in there.”
Holloway is in the country from September 15 to 18 for a series of activities to hype UFC Fight Night Manila 2, which is headlined by a 5-round featherweight clash between mixed martial arts (MMA) legend BJ Penn and Lamas.
It marks Holloway’s second visit in the Philippines as he accompanied his teammates Louis Smolka, Russell Doane, and Dustin Kimura for their respective matches under the PXC banner in November 2012.
According to Holloway, the Philippines and Hawaii have stark similarities that made him feel at home in his 4-day stay.
“I like it here. Back home, I got folks and friends who are Filipinos. Hawaii and the Philippines are somewhat similar. It was a great experience being here and meeting the UFC fans,” he shared.
Holloway hopes that in his next trip to the archipelago, he will have the chance to strut his wares inside the Octagon in front of a roaring Filipino crowd.
“The Philippines is one of the countries in the world that is passionate about this sport. Filipino fight fans are so knowledgeable about the UFC and MMA. I’m happy to be here. If not in October, maybe one day I can get back here and fight,” he said. – Rappler.com
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